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MEMOIRS 


MISS  CAROLINE  E.  SMELT. 


MOSES  WADDEL,  D.  D. 

Pattor  of  the  United  Churches  of  Wdlington  and  n^ypcwell,  in  the  District 
of  Abbeville,  South  Cirulina. 


They  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me. — Prov.  viii.  17. 
The  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death.— Prov.  xiv.  32. 


HENRY  PERKINS,  No.  159  CHESTNUT  STREET. 

BOSTON, 
PERKINS,    MARVIN;    AND    CO. 


1836. 


Entered  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1835, 

By  Henry  Perkins, 

ill  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  Dis 

trict  of  Pennsylvania. 


Stereotyped  by  L.  Johnson, 
Philadelphia. 


RECOMMENDATIONS. 


To  Mr 


I  have  read,  with  lively  interest,  the  manuscript 
Memoirs  of  the  amiable  and  pious  Miss  Smelt,  and  can 
feel  no  hesitation  in  the  expression  of  an  opinion  fa- 
vourable to  their  publication.  I  believe  the  narrative 
calculated  to  do  much  good,  especially  among  the 
young  of  her  own  sex. 

Yours,  &c. 

James  Milnor, 
Rector  of  St.  George's  Church. 
New  York,  15th  Aug.  1818. 


To  Jllrs.  Elizabeth  Jones. 
Madam, 

I  concur,  with  much  pleasure,  in  recommending  the 
publication  of  the  Memoirs  of  the  late  excellent  Miss 
Smelt ;  being  convinced  that  they  are,  under  God,  cal- 
culated to  be  eminently  useful.  Her  well-cultivated 
youthful  mind,  her  truly  amiable  disposition,  and  abovo 
all,  her  being  so  evidently  a  subject  of  divine  grace, 
give  the  narrative  much  interest  and  value.  Who, 
that  himself  loves  the  Redeemer,  can  peruse  such  an 

3 


4  RECOMMENDATIONS. 

account  of  a  departed  saint,  without  feeling  his  heart 
warmed  with  holy  affections,  and  edified  1 
I  am,  most  respectfully, 

Yours  sincerely  in  Christ, 

Benjamin  Mortimer, 
Pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren. 
New  York,  17th  Aug.  1818. 


To  JMrs.  Elizabeth  Jones. 
Madam, 

I  have  perused  the  manuscript  copy  of  the  Memoirs 
of  Miss.  C.  E.  Smelt  with  peculiar  pleasure,  and  shall 
be  highly  gratified  to  see  the  work  in  print.  I  feel  a 
confidence  that  the  publication  will  be  calculated  to  be 
useful,  not  only  among  her  relations  and  the  friends 
who  knew  her,  but  also  among  strangers.  It  is  calcu- 
lated to  be  useful  wherever  it  may  be  read.  Accept  my 
thanks  that  I  have  been  favoured  with  the  perusal. 
With  respect,  I  am,  madam,  yours,  &c. 

John  M'Dowell, 
Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Elizabelhlotcn. 
Elizabethtown,  29th  Aug.  1818. 


To  J\Tvs.  Elizabeth  Jones. 
Madam, 

Expressions  of  mercy,  so  distinguished  as  that  ex- 
hibited in  the  Memoirs  of  Miss  Smelt,  ought  not  to  be 
withheld  from  the  world.    They  appear  to  honour  God, 


RECOMMENDATIONS.  5 

and  to  be  adapted  to  do  good  to  the  gouls  of  men.  The 
impression  has  delightfully  rested  on  my  mind,  while 
perusing  the  manuscript,  that  mothers  who  love  their 
daughters,  and  daughters  who  love  their  mothers,  and 
all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  find  much  in 
this  brief  narrative  which  they  will  wish  to  cherish  and 
wish  to  remember.  It  is  with  pleasure,  madam,  that  T 
commit  this  testimony  of  my  approbation  of  the  work 
to  your  disposal. 

With  earnest  prayers  for  the  divine  blessing  upon 
this  little  volume,  and  with  sentiments  of  personal  re- 
spect and  kindness, 

I  am,  madam, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Gardiner  Spring, 
Pastor  of  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church. 
New  York,  6th  Sept.  1818. 


To  «\frs.  Elizabeth  Jones* 
Madam, 

I  have  read  the  Memoirs  of  your  late  niece,  Miss 
Smelt,  with  much  interest.  They  form  a  piece  of  bio- 
graphy which  promises  to  be  profitable,  and  cannot 
fail  to  be  interesting  to  both  old  and  young.  We  have 
here  "  the  words  of  truth  and  soberness"  uttered  under 
circumstances  the  most  solemn  and  impressive  :  and  I 
would  gladly  hone,  that  while  those  who  are  encom- 
passed with  the  temptations  peculiar  to  youth,  read  the 
warnings  and  exhortations  of  the  dying  Miss  Smelt, 
A  2 


6  RECOMMENDATIONS. 

they  will  be  led  to  feel  the  vanity  of  all  earthly  things, 
and  the  infinite  importance  of  death  and  eternity.  And 
what  parent  can  survey  her  triumphs  over  "  the  last 
enemy,"  and  compare  them  with  her  previous  history, 
without  seeing  how  rich  a  blessing  attends  parental 
fidelity  in  bringing  up  a  child  "  in  the  nurture  and  ad- 
monition of  the  Lord." 

Permit  me  to  express  my  sincere  sympathy  for  her 
bereaved  parents,  and  believe  me, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  M.  Mathews, 
Pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  Garden-street. 
New  York,  15th  Sept.  1818. 


PREFACE 


The  following  narrative  is  presented 
to  the  public  at  the  earnest  request  of  a 
number  of  friends  of  the  deceased  Miss 
Smelt.  She  had  endeared  herself  to  a 
numerous  circle  by  her  many  virtues  and 
affable  deportment.  Her  mind  was  culti- 
vated, and  her  manners  highly  polished. 
The  easy  circumstances  in  which  she  was 
born  and  lived,  together  with  the  circle 
of  society  in  which  she  was  wont  to 
move,  afforded  her  advantages  which  but 
few  enjoy.  It  was,  therefore,  thought  by 
many  who  witnessed  the  last  scenes  of 
her  life,  that  such  a  testimony  as  she  gave 
to  the  truth  of  vital  Christianity,  if  made 
public,  might  be  useful  in  promoting  the 
best  interests  of  many  who  had  no  per- 
sonal acquaintance  with  her. 

Accordingly,  the  whole  of  the  follow- 
ing information  concerning  her  was  drawn 


8  PREFACE. 

up  by  several  persons  who  knew  her  well, 
and  witnessed  the  most  interesting  facts 
hereafter  recorded.  The  papers  contain- 
ing this  information  were  presented  to  the 
editor,  with  a  request  that  he  would  re- 
vise, arrange,  and  prepare  them  for  publi- 
cation. With  this  request  he  endeavoured 
to  comply.  The  distance  at  which  he  re- 
sides from  Augusta  deprived  him  of  any 
personal  knowledge  of  Miss  Smelt  from 
the  period  of  her  infancy,  when  he  bap- 
tized her.  This  want  of  a  later  personal 
knowledge  he  much  regrets  ;  yet  from  the 
concurrent  testimony  of  many  pious  and 
worthy  characters,  he  does  not  entertain 
the  smallest  doubt  of  the  truth  of  a  single 
fact  recorded  in  the  following  narrative. 
The  probity  and  piety  of  the  persons  con- 
cerned in  furnishing  its  materials  are  too 
well  known  to  admit  any  dread  of  suspi- 
cion or  contradiction.  Besides,  the  most 
interesting  facts  related  were  witnessed 
by  many  respectable  persons,  who  can 
attest  their  authenticity  ;  for  "  this  thing 
was  not  done  in  a  corner." 


PREFACE.  « 

The  editor  has  not  enlarged  any  part  of 
the  narrative,  nor  added  any  comments 
of  his  own,  in  the  course  of  it.  He  has 
only  compiled  the  information  communi- 
cated by  others.  Some  words  he  has 
changed,  and  some  alterations  have  been 
made  in  the  arrangement :  but  in  no  in- 
stance has  there  been  any  alteration  made 
in  the  sense  of  a  single  paragraph.  The 
concluding  remarks  he  has  added,  and  a 
part  of  the  genealogy  in  the  beginning  he 
has  given  from  his  own  knowledge. 

Perspicuity  has  been  his  object  through 
the  whole  of  the  narrative.  To  attain  this 
has  been  found  difficult  in  some  places, 
where  a  conversation  is  related  between 
two  persons  of  the  same  sex.  However, 
he  hopes  that,  in  general,  the  whole  will 
be  found  intelligible  by  those  who  peruse 
it. 

Moses  Waddell. 

Willington,  South  Carolina,  ~) 
24th  June,  1818.  5 


MEMOIRS 


MISS  CAROLINE  E.  SMELT. 


Miss  Caroline  Elizabeth  Smelt,  the 
subject  of  the  following-  narrative,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  Augusta,  in  the  state  of  Geor- 
gia, on  Lord's-day  morning,  December  28th, 
1800.  Her  ancestors,  so  far  as  is  known, 
were  respectable.  Her  father,  Doctor  Den- 
nis Smelt,  was  born  in  Essex  county,  in  the 
state  of  Virginia,  on  the  23d  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1763.  His  father,  the  Rev.  John  Smelt, 
was  a  clergyman  of  the  Episcopal  church  ; 
he  was  born  in  England,  educated  at  Oxford, 
and  emigrated  to  America  in  early  life,  where 
he  married  a  lady  of  Virginia. 

Doctor  Smelt  was  educated  at  William 
and  Mary  College,  in  his  native  state.  In 
the  year  1786,  he  went  to  England,  for  the 

11 


12  MEMOIRS    01 

purpose  of  completing  his  medical  studies. 
There  he  remained  three  years,  and  then 
returned  to  his  native  land.  The  state  of 
Georgia  at  that  time  offered  many  attrac- 
tions to  young  men  of  talents  and  enterprise. 
Accordingly,  the  doctor  determined  on  re- 
moving thither,  and  selected  Augusta  as  the 
place  of  his  future  residence,  where  he  set- 
tled in  1789.  Here  his  medical  skill  and  in- 
dustrious attention  to  the  duties  of  his  pro- 
fession, soon  procured  him  a  large  share  of 
public  confidence,  as  well  as  an  extensive  and 
lucrative  practice. 

In  the  year  180G,  he  was  elected,  by  his 
fellow  citizens,  as  a  member  to  represent 
them  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 
After  acting  five  years  in  this  capacity,  he 
retired  from  the  service  of  his  country,  to  re- 
pose in  the  bosom  of  his  family. 

In  the  year  1798,  he  received  in  marriage 
the  hand  of  Miss  Mary  Cooper,  an  amiable 
and  accomplished  young  lady  of  Augusta. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Ananias  Coop- 
er, a  respectable  merchant,  then  living  in  the 
city,  but  since  dead.  Mr.  Cooper's  parents 
were  both  natives  of  Amsterdam,  from  which 
place  they  emigrated  to  New  York,  but  at 
what  period  is  not  known  to  the  writer  of 
this  narrative.  Shortly  after  Mr.  Cooper's 
birth,  he  lost  his  father.  His  mother  lived 
sixty-three  years.  She  died  in  the  city  of 
New  York.      She  was  of  exemplary  piety, 


CAROLINE    T.    SMELT.  13 

and  considered,  by  good  judges,  an  intelligent 
and  accomplished  lady.  She  spoke  and  wrote 
the  English,  and  several  other  languages, 
with  correctness.  It  was  observed  by  the 
minister  who  preached  the  funeral  sermon, 
that  "  she  had  been  a  member  of  the  church 
more  than  thirty  years,  during  all  which  time 
she  had  been  a  *  shining  light,'  and  had  never 
brought  a  blush  upon  her  children's  cheeks, 
nor  the  slightest  blemish  on  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion." Mrs.  Cooper,  the  mother  of  Mrs. 
Smelt,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  She  emi- 
grated to  Philadelphia  when  young,  where 
she  was  married  to  Mr.  Cooper,  by  whom 
she  had  live  daughters  ;  of  these  Mrs.  Smelt 
was  the  third.  In  January,  1778,  while  the 
British  army  were  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  great  disorder  was  prevalent  there, 
Mrs.  Cooper,  expecting  shortly  to  be  the 
mother  of  a  third  child,  retired  to  Bethle- 
hem, a  quiet  village  in  the  interior  of  the 
state  ;  within  a  few  miles  of  which  place  Mrs. 
Smelt  was  born,  on  the  31st  of  January, 
1778. 

Mrs.  Cooper  survived  her  husband  some 
years,  and  died  near  Augusta,  in  the  year 
181.3,  in  the  70th  year  of  her  age.  She  had 
long  been  a  professor  of  religion,  and  left  an 
unquestionable  testimony  of  her  faith  in  Jesus. 
She  died  a  most  triumphant  death.  With  a 
heavenly  countenance  she  exclaimed,  "Lord 
B 


14  MEMOIRS    OF 

Jesus,  receive  my  spirit !"  and  immediately 
expired  without  a  struggle. 

The  preceding  imperfect  sketch  of  Ca- 
roline's ancestors  is  prefixed  to  gratify  the 
innocent  curiosity  which  may  be  felt  by  her 
friends,  or  any  of  those  who  may  read  her 
memoirs. 

Caroline  was  not  the  first  child  of  her 
parents.  A  son,  named  John,  was  the 
first  pledge  of  their  wedded  love.  He  afford- 
ed his  parents  all  that  happiness,  in  pros- 
pect, which  a  promising  infant  could  pos- 
sibly furnish  during  thirteen  months, when  it 
pleased  Him  who  "blessed  little  children," 
to  take  him  from  his  earthly  parents,  at  that 
early  age,  to  be  with  himself. 

About  four  months  after  this  bereavement, 
the  hearts  of  these  parents  were  gladdened 
by  the  birth  of  a  daughter  ;  and  this  daughter 
was  Caroline  Elizabeth.  From  early  child- 
hood she  discovered  strong  marks  of  an  in- 
telligent mind,  blended  with  much  meekness, 
modesty,  and  benevolence  of  disposition. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  months,  she  was  un- 
commonly engaging  and  interesting.  She 
could,  even  then,  repeat  many  little  prayers 
with  such  a  distinct  articulation  as  is  not 
usual  at  that  tender  age.  When  only  two 
years  old,  she  could  repeat  a  number  of  short 
instructive  lessons  which  she  had  committed 
to  memory,  and  deliver  them  with  such  pa- 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  15 

thos,  property  of  emphasis,  ami  expression 
of  countenance,  as  to  surprise  and  gratify  all 
who  heard  her. 

Many  circumstances  occurred  in  the  dawn 
of  her  life,  calculated  to  delight  and  increase 
parental  affection,  which  are  so  far  effaced  by 
time  and  succeeding  events  as  only  to  leave 
on  the  memory  a  general  impression  that 
they  gave  rise  to  pleasing  hopes  of  future  ex- 
cellence. A  few  little  anecdotes  are  still 
recollected  ;  some  of  which  shall  be  here 
inserted,  as  they  may  tend,  in  some  mea- 
sure, to  show  the  sensibility  of  heart  which 
she  possessed  while  she  was  yet  a  babe. 

When  she  was  not  more  than  three  years  old, 
on  a  very  cold,  wet,  and  stormy  winter  night, 
she  was  seated  by  her  mother  in  a  little  chair, 
amusing  her  with  her  innocent  prattle.  Her 
mother,  feeling  desirous  to  improve  the  even- 
ing as  profitably  as  possible,  called  the  atten- 
tion of  her  little  daughter  to  the  comforts 
which  they  then  enjoyed,  and  contrasted 
them  with  the  situation  of  the  indigent.  She 
then  related  to  Caroline  the  circumstances  of 
a  poor,  afflicted,  little  female  orphan,  without 
clothes,  food,  or  a  permanent  home.  This 
recital  soon  drew  tears  from  the  eyes  of  the 
little  hearer,  accompanied  with  sobs.  After 
sitting  some  time,  she  wiped  off  her  tears,  and 
appeared  to  be  engaged  in  deep  thought. 
At  length  she  rose  from  her  chair,  and  ap- 
proached   her    mother,    saying,    "  My   dear 


16  MEMOIRS  OF 

mamma,  I  have  been  thinking  how  I  could 
relieve  this  poor  little  girl.      Will  you  please 
to  let  our  good  old  servant,  Nancy,  take  me 
directly  to  her  ?     I  wish  to  bring  her  home 
with  me  to-night ;  she  shall  sleep  in  my  bed, 
and  I  will  give  her  some  of  my  frocks,  and 
a  pair  of  my  red  shoes."     On  being  told  that 
it   was    dark    and    rainy,  and  that    she    had 
better  defer   her  intended    charity  until    the 
morning,  she  replied,  "  O  no,  mamma,  please 
to  let  me  go  to-night,  for  you  said  site  had 
nothing  to  eat."     Her  mother  then  observed, 
that  it  was   too  late,  and  she  would  get  wet, 
perhaps  take  a  cold,  and  be  sick.     "  O  no, 
mamma,  I  shall  feel  better  ;  I  wish  to  bring 
her  here  to-night,  and  you  will  be  her  mam- 
ma too  ;  won't  you  ?"     To  see  how  far  her 
feelings  would  carry  her,  her  mother  had  the 
servant   called,  her  little  bonnet  and  mantle 
tied   on,    and    she    actually   proceeded,  with 
firm  intention,  to  the  street.     But  here  her 
natural    timidity    discovered    itself,    by    her 
cleaving  to  the  servant,  and  kindly  asking  her 
to  take  her  little  hand  in  hers,  and  hold  the 
umbrella  over  her  head.      They  had  not  been 
allowed  to  proceed  many  steps,  before  her 
mother  called  them  back  ;  being  fully  satisfied 
as  to  the  motives  which  influenced  her  child. 
Little  Caroline   expressed   much  disappoint- 
ment,  and  could   not   be    consoled  until  she 
received  every  assurance  from    her  mother, 
that  the  little  sufferer  had  been  provided  for. 


CAROLINE  t.  SMELT.  17 

The  next  day  the  subject  was  renewed,  and 
the  frocks  and  shoes  were  tendered. 

At  the  age  of  four  years,  she  was  sent  to 
school,  and  made  such  proficiency  as  to  give 
general  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  By 
her  docility,  amiable  disposition,  and  obedient 
behaviour,  she  also  gained  the  friendship 
and  affection  of  her  intelligent  preceptress, 
which  continued  unimpaired  to  the  end  of 
her  life.  Very  many,  if  not  all,  of  her 
school-mates  loved  her,  and  were  beloved 
by  her.  As  soon  as  she  could  read,  she 
evinced  great  delicacy  of  taste  in  the  se- 
lection of  little  books,  to  occupy  her  leisure 
hours  ;  and  would  comment  on  what  she  had 
read,  with  unusual  correctness. 

When  she  was  between  five  and  six  years 
old,  she  had  been  one  evening  engaged  in 
reading  a  little  book,  descriptive  of  the  cha- 
racters of  two  little  girls.  The  one  was  very 
rich,  an  only  child,  but  exceedingly  bold, 
passionate,  obstinate,  and  uncharitable:  the 
other  was  poor,  and  in  a  state  of  great  bodily 
sufferings,  but  very  amiable.  She  appeared 
much  disgusted  with  the  bad  girl,  and  won- 
dered that  the  wealth  had  not  been  given  to 
the  good  child.  A  moralizing  dialogue  then 
ensued  between  her  and  her  mother.  Short- 
ly af. er wards,  Caroline  retired  to  bed,  and 
her  mother  thought  she  had  fallen  asleep,  as 
she  had  lain  perfectly  quiet  for  some  time  ; 
when,  lo  the  surprise  of  Mrs.  Smelt,  her  little 
d2 


18  MEMOIRS  OF 

daughter  rose  up  in  the  bed,  and  with  great 
feeling  said,  "  My  dear  mamma,  I  hope  I  shall 
never  be  such  a  vain  boaster,  and  such  an  un- 
dutiful  child  as  that  bad  girl  was.  I  would 
much  rather  be  as  poor  and  as  afflicted  as  that 
other,  if  I  could  be  as  good."  She  seemed 
much  affected,  and  as  if  she  had  been  engaged 
in  deep  reflection  on  the  subject.  Her  mother 
then  gave  her  such  advice  as  she  thought 
would  assist  her  to  see  her  duty  ;  and  to  rea- 
lize the  good  wishes  she  had  formed.  This  ap- 
peared to  console  her  youthful  mind,  and  soon 
after  she  fell  asleep. 

About  this  period  she  became  much  en- 
gaged with  her  catechism.  In  questioning 
her  one  day,  as  to  her  comprehension  of  the 
ten  commandments,  her  mother  was  much 
gratified  by  the  correctness  of  many  of  her 
answers.  One  of  them  is  distinctly  remem- 
bered ;  and  although  it  be  infantile  in  the 
manner  of  expression,  yet  it  is  strong,  and 
shows  her  views  on  the  subject.  Her  mother 
asked  her  if  she  understood  the  meaning  of 
that  command  which  requires  us  to  "  love 
our  neighbour  as  ourselves  ?"  She  replied, 
with  great  modesty,  "  I  believe  I  do.  You 
know,"  said  she,  "  when  my  dear  old  grand- 
mamma comes  to  see  us,  she  always  brings 
some  little  token  of  her  remembrance  to 
cousin  Cornelia  and  myself;  and  she  always 
says,  '  Come  here,  my  little  Caroline,  take 
this,  and  divide  it  with  Cornelia.'     She  gives 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  19 

it  to  me  first,  because  she  says  I  am  your 
only  little  pet.  Well,  I  take  it  (perhaps  it 
is  only  a  biscuit,  perhaps  a  single  apple) 
and  I  divide  it,  taking1  care  always  to  give 
cousin  the  biggest  part.  Now,  is  it  not  this 
loving  my  neighbour  as  myself?" 

When  she  was  about  six  years  old,  it  was 
thought  expedient  to  send  her  to  a  dancing 
school.  Nearly  all  her  little  school-males 
had  already  entered.  It  was  proposed  to 
her ;  she  evinced  disapprobation  ;  but,  with 
her  usual  submission,  yielded  to  the  wishes 
of  those  whom  she  loved.  She  was  taken 
by  her  mother,  who  supposed,  that  as  soon 
as  Caroline  should  see  her  young  friends,  and 
hear  the  music,  she  would  be  reconciled  to 
remain.  But  on  entering  the  school,  she 
discovered  great  agitation  and  terror,  entreat- 
ed her  mother  not  to  leave  her,  and  burst 
into  tears.  Mrs.  Smelt,  much  surprised  and 
disconcerted,  returned  home  with  her,  and 
inquired  the  cause  of  her  agitation.  Still 
trembling,  she  replied,  "  My  dear  mamma, 
I  cannot  tell  you,  but  I  felt  so  much  alarm, 
I  could  not  stay.  I  hope  you  will  never  de- 
sire me  to  go  to  that  school  again.  I  can  hop 
and  jump  about  enough  at  home,  without 
jjoing  to  that  school  to  learn."  Her  mother 
then  told  her,  that  she  had  mortified  her  ex- 
ceedingly by  exposing  her  weakness  before 
so  many  persons  ;  many  of  whom  would  pro- 
bably  call    her  a  spoiled   baby,  and  charge 


20  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  fault  to  her.  Caroline  then  replied,  "I 
do  not  regard  any  reproaches  my  conduct,  on 
this  occasion,  may  bring  upon  me,  if  you 
will  forgive  me,  and  not  desire  me  to  go 
again." 

No  farther  attempt  was  made  to  have  her 
taught  dancing,  until  she  was  ten  years  old. 
She  then  showed  the  same  disapprobation 
and  the  same  submission.  She  was  told,  that 
it  was  an  accomplishment  which  her  friends 
wished  her  to  acquire ;  that  it  would  qualify 
her  better  for  appearing  in  that  society  in 
which  she  was  intended  to  move ;  and  would 
contribute  much  to  render  her  easy  and  grace- 
ful in  her  deportment.  She  smiled,  and  ob- 
served, "  it  was  strange  reasoning;  and  that 
any  thing  so  light  and  trifling  in  its  nature, 
should  qualify  her  better  for  the  society  of 
rational  beings,  was  surprising."  She  entered, 
and  soon  became  what  the  world  calls  an  ele- 
gant and  graceful  dancer.  Before  the  expi- 
ration of  the  last  quarter,  she  requested  leave 
to  retire ;  observing,  that  her  friends  had 
complimented  her  on  the  proficiency  she  had 
made  ;  and  as  she  had  answered  their  wishes, 
she  begged  leave  to  give  up  farther  attend- 
ance on  the  school.  She  was  persuaded  to 
finish  the  quarter;  but  frequently,  when  pre- 
paring for  the  dance,  would  shed  tears,  and 
say  that  she  "  felt  great  repugnance  to  be- 
stow so  much  time  on  a  thing,  of  which  she 
should  never  be  fond."      For  this  her  friends 


CAROLINE    £.    SMELT.  21 

were  unable  to  account,  as  there  was  not  the 
least  tincture  of  melancholy  in  her  disposi- 
tion. On  the  contrary,  she  was  extremely 
cheerful  and  happy,  but  never  volatile  ; 
sprightly  and  animated  in  conversation,  but 
never  countenanced  or  descended  to  levity. 

In  her  eighth  year,  she  was  called  to  expe- 
rience a  most  aillictive  dispensation  of  Di- 
vine Providence,  in  the  death  of  a  darling 
little  sister,  who  was  three  years  younger 
than  herself.  She  was  greatly  grieved,  but 
displayed  much  resignation  to  the  will  of 
God  ;  and  directed  her  sympathy  and  affec- 
tionate condolence  to  the  consolation  of  her 
afflicted  mother.  Mrs.  Smelt  had  enjoyed 
but  feeble  health  for  several  years,  and  her 
mind  had  been  deeply  exercised  in  seeking 
to  secure  the  best  interests  of  her  own  soul. 
This  bereavement  laid  her  low  in  the  valley 
of  humiliation.  She  was  visited  by  many 
pious  friends  and  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
When  her  mother  was  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion with  them,  reading  the  Scriptures,  or 
other  religious  works,  little  Caroline  would 
ijive  her  whole  attention  to  the  subject;  and 
she  has  since  told  her  mother,  that  from  that 
period,  she  dated  the  first  perceptible  opera- 
tions of  divine  grace  upon  her  heart.  For, 
said  she,  •*  so  clear  was  my  comprehension 
of  the  plan  of  salvation  through  a  Redeemer, 
that  I  understood  it  as  well,  and  believed  in 
it  as  firmly,  at  eight  years  of  age,  as  1  do  now 


22  MEMOIRS    OF 

on  my  death-bed."  She  also  observed,  '"'that 
it  often  had  been  a  matter  of  astonishment  to 
her,  even  at  that  early  period,  that  she  should 
have  such  clear  conceptions  of  a  subject 
which  caused  so  much  investigation  and 
doubt  in  the  minds  of  older  persons."  She 
was  always  attentive  to  religious  instruction, 
and  at  the  age  just  mentioned,  particularly 
so.  Her  mother  never  asked  her  to  retire 
with  her,  for  the  purpose  of  private  prayer, 
without  rinding  her  ready,  and  immediately 
willing  to  attend,  let  her  little  engagements 
be  what  they  might.  She  would  bow  on 
her  little  knees,  with  so  much  sweet  humi- 
lity, and  so  silently  and  patiently  engage 
in  this  solemn  duty,  as  to  afford  her  affec- 
tionate mother  the  greatest  delight,  particu- 
larly when  she  could  see  her,  at  the  close  of 
the  duty,  wiping  the  precious  tears  from  her 
infantile  cheeks. 

When  Caroline  was  a  little  more  than  eight 
years  old,  her  curiosity  was  considerably  ex- 
cited to  see  the  Augusta  races.  As  a  num- 
ber of  her  little  friends  were  going,  she  asked 
permission  to  attend  also.  Her  mother,  feel- 
ing confident  that  her  little  daughter  did  not 
understand  the  nature  of  this  amusement,  did 
not  hesitate  to  indulge  her.  She  was  accord- 
ingly placed  under  the  care  of  a  particular 
friend,  and  went ;  but  before  the  race  was 
over,  she  was  brought  home  as  pale  as  a 
little  corpse.     On  inquiring  the  cause  of  her 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  23 

returning  in  that  manner,  she  said,  she  had 
been  very  much  disappointed  in  the  amuse- 
ment ;  that  she  had  seen  nothing  but  a  fright- 
ful confusion,  and  the  poor  horses  whipped 
and  run  almost  to  dcatli ;  that  she  had  con- 
cealed her  terror  as  much  as  possible,  for 
fear  of  interrupting  the  friends  with  whom 
she  was  ;  but  at  length  two  men  got  to  fight- 
ing near  the  carriage  in  which  she  was  seated, 
and  she  heard  a  loud  exclamation  of  "  War' 
war  !"  which  alarmed  her  so  exceedingly  that 
she  was  near  fainting ;  when  her  friend,  see- 
ing her  situation,  brought  her  away  imme- 
diately. She  ever  afterwards  evinced  a 
great  abhorrence  of  this  amusement. 

Perhaps  a  more  happy,  meek,  or  affection- 
ate disposition  than  that  which  she  possessed 
has  rarely  ever  been  known.  Always  de- 
sirous of  making  every  one  around  her  par- 
take, as  much  as  possible,  of  the  blessings  she 
enjoyed,  she  extended  this  principle  to  friends, 
strangers,  servants,  and  even  to  animals.  It 
is  well  recollected,  that  soon  after  the  races 
before  mentioned,  a  young  friend  presented 
her  with  a  beautiful  little  ring-dove  in  a  cage. 
At  first  Caroline  was  much  delighted  with 
the  present ;  but  after  a  short  time  she  ex- 
pressed great  sympathy  for  the  poor  bird  ; 
and  said  she  should  feel  more  pleasure  in 
owning  it,  if  it  were  not  confined  like  a 
prisoner.  A  friend  then  assured  her,  that  if 
she  would  open  the  cage  door  and  let  it  out, 


24  memoirs  or 

the  bird  was  so  domesticated  that  it  would 
not  fly  away,  but  would  exercise  itself  on  the 
trees  in  the  yard,  and  return  to  the  cage. 
The  experiment  was  immediately  made,  but 
the  bird  never  returned.  Instead  of  being 
distressed  by  this  circumstance,  she  seemed 
to  be  gratified.  Her  mother  was  surprised, 
who  supposed  that  she  had  become  weary  of 
her  little  charge  ;  but  soon  afterwards,  in  con- 
versation on  this  subject,  Caroline  cleared 
herself  of  this  suspicion,  by  saying  that  she 
did  not  think  it  right  to  imprison  little  birds, 
and  separate  them  from  their  mothers  ;  that 
she  hoped  her  ring-dove  had  found  its  mam- 
ma, and  that  was  the  cause  of  its  not  return- 
ing. She  was  glad  that  she  had  let  it  go  ; 
for  "  O  how  happy  the  poor  mother  and  little 
dove  must  have  been,  in  meeting  after  so  long 
an  absence  ;"  and  concluded  by  saying,  she 
hoped  none  of  her  friends  would  again  pre- 
sent her  with  a  bird  in  a  cage  ;  for  she  would 
much  rather  see  them  hopping  about  on  the 
trees,  and  hear  their  delightful  little  notes,  in 
the  open  air,  than  to  have  then  deprived  of 
their  liberty  on  her  account. 

There  was  one  singularity  in  her  disposi- 
tion while  she  was  a  child,  which  was  often 
remarked  by  those  about  her,  namely,  that 
she  never  discovered  a  fondness  for  toys  of 
any  description  ;  on  the  contrary,  she  rather 
manifested  an  aversion  to  them.  She  was 
often  presented  with   a  variety,  particularly 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  25 

of  dolls,  of  which  most  little  girls  are  very 
fond.  But  she  never  made  any  use  of  them, 
as  an  amusement  for  herself;  and  would  cheer- 
fully hestow  them  on  little  friends  whom  she 
knew  took  pleasure  in  them.  She  was  of  so 
domestic  a  disposition  always,  so  much  more 
attached  to  home  than  any  other  place,  that 
her  mother  frequently  endeavoured  to  pro- 
mote her  amusement,  by  inviting  her  atten- 
tion to  those  innocent  playthings.  But  one 
day  she  observed  to  her  mamma,  that  she 
could  take  no  pleasure  in  wasting  time  with 
those  pieces  of  painted  wood  ;  that  she  was 
very  fond  of  living  babes ;  indeed,  she  loved 
them  dearly,  because  our  blessed  Saviour  had 
taken  such  in  his  arms,  and  blessed  them. 
She  continued,  "I  never  feel  lonesome  when 
I  have  mamma  to  converse  with  me  ;  and 
when  she  is  otherwise  engaged,  I  have  my 
lessons  to  get,  or  I  can  amuse  myself  in  the 
gardens.  My  pets  are  there  ;  for  I  derive 
more  pleasure  from  seeing  my  little  plants 
flourish,  than  I  do  from  playing  with  toys." 
Indeed,  this  was  proved  by  the  care  and  at- 
tention which  she  paid  to  them.  She  had  al- 
ways a  given  number  of  plants  and  flowers  in 
the  garden,  which  were  called  hers,  which  she 
would  water  and  attend  to  herself.  Often 
was  she  seen  watching  for  the  first  appearance 
of  a  flower-bud  on  a  favourite  plant  or  shrub ; 
and  often  did  she  run  to  her  mother,  in  a 
transport  of  joy,  to  tell  her  that  it  was  in 
C 


26  MEMOIRS    OF 

bloom,  or  to  present  one  of  the  flowers.  The 
beauties  of  nature  always  presented  to  her 
mind  an  inexhaustible  theme  for  admiration  ; 
and  she  often  discovered  more  pleasure  in 
contemplating  the  shape  and  colour  of  a  sin- 
gle flower,  than  in  the  enjoyment  of  any 
fashionable  amusement.  She  was  an  enthu- 
siastic lover  of  flowers.  They  were  the  only 
article  in  fashionable  dress  with  which  she 
professed  to  be  pleased.  It  was  not  unusual 
for  her  to  appear  at  the  breakfast  table  with 
her  hair  ornamented  with  flowers  dripping 
with  dew.  She  said  it  was  not  a  romantic 
taste  that  induced  her  to  do  this  ;  but  there 
was  such  perfection  stamped  on  every  leaf,  as 
to  elevate  her  gratitude  to  that  Being  by  whose 
wisdom  and  power  they  were  formed. 

She  was  early  distinguished  for  her  love 
of  truth  ;  insomuch,  that  she  was  frequently 
called  upon  to  decide  little  disputes  in  school ; 
it  being  generally  admitted  by  the  contend- 
ing parties  that  Caroline  Smelt  would  not 
tell  a  falsehood,  even  to  screen  herself  from 
censure.  Her  friends  have  no  recollection 
of  her  ever  having  deserved  a  reproof  for 
deviating  from  strict  veracity.  She  viewed 
falsehood  as  one  of  the  most  degrading  and 
unprofitable  vices,  and  a  very  high  offence 
against  Him  who  knoweth  all  things.  Neither 
did  she  countenance  or  practise  tale-bearing. 
So  far  did  she  carry  this  principle,  as  to  suf- 
fer herself  sometimes  to  be  grossly  imposed 


CAROLINE    E.    i.uELT.  27 

upon,  rather  than  make  a  complaint,  lest  she 
might  be  called  a  tell-tale. 

To  her  relations  she  was  affable  and  com- 
panionable, while  yet  a  child ;  but  her  ex- 
treme diffidence,  or  timid  modesty,  prevented 
her  from  communicating  her  ideas  on  any 
subject  with  freedom,  except  to  those  with 
whom  she  was  well  acquainted.  To  such 
she  was  free  and  communicative,  and  her 
conversation  frequently  afforded  them  instruc- 
tion and  delight.  Her  language  was  pure; 
her  expressions  select ;  and  her  observations 
far  beyond  her  years. 

She  appeared  to  attach  no  importance  to 
herself  on  account  of  her  being  an  only  child  ; 
nor  did  she  infer  from  this  that  she  had  any 
claim  to  extraordinary  indulgence.  On  the 
contrary,  she  said,  "  it  humbled  her ;  for  it 
became  her  duty  to  strive  to  be  every  thing 
to  her  parents,  that  they  might  not  grieve  too 
much  after  those  children  they  had  lost." 

When  she  was  twelve  years  old,  she  was 
highly  gratified  by  the  birth  of  a  little  sister. 
On  this  occasion  her  joy  was  beyond  descrip- 
tion. A  certain  female  neighbour  expressed 
her  surprise  at  seeing  Caroline  so  delighted, 
as  "  it  might  have  been  expected  that  she 
woukl  have  been  disappointed,  rather  than 
pleased,  that  the  child  was  not  a  boy  ;  for 
now  the  little  stranger  would  stand  on  equal 
ground  with  herself,  and  her  importance 
would  probably  he  diminished."    She  replied, 


28  MEMOIRS  OF 

she  was  very  sorry  that  any  person  should 
entertain  so  contracted  an  opinion  of  her 
heart.  She  could,  with  great  sincerity,  de- 
clare that  she  was  much  happier  than  she 
should  have  been  if  it  had  been  a  boy  ;  and 
gave  her  reasons  at  full  length,  which  silenced 
the  friend.  Some  time  afterwards  she  said 
to  her  mother,  "  Mamma,  do  you  think  our 
neighbour  *******  Was  in  earnest  when  she 
gave  such  an  opinion  ?  I  do  not  approve  of 
jests  at  any  time,  or  on  any  subject;  and  I 
never  have  taken,  and  never  will,  if  I  can  help 
it,  take  such  a  liberty  with  any  one.  I  am  sure 
I  feel  so  much  gratitude  to  Providence  for 
blessing  me  with  a  beautiful  little  sister,  that 
I  would  be  willing  that  you,  even  you,  should 
love  her  a  great  deal  better  (if  that  is  possi- 
ble) than  you  do  me." 

She  now  proved  that  she  did  indeed  love 
living  babes  ;  for  greater  tenderness  or  affec- 
tion perhaps  was  never  witnessed  than  she 
testified  towards  this  little  treasure.  But, 
all  !  in  rather  less  than  a  year  after  its  birth 
it  was  called  to  the  arms  of  that  Saviour  who 
had  condescended  to  bless  such  little  ones 
while  he  sojourned  here  on  earth.  This  was 
he  second  time  Caroline  had  felt  the  pain  of 
separation  from  an  only  sister ;  but  her  grief 
was  tempered  with  sweet  submission  to  the 
decree  of  unerring  wisdom.  She,  neverthe- 
less,  discovered   great   sensibility  whenever 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  29 

this  child  was  mentioned,  and  could  seldom 
suppress  her  tears  on  such  occasions. 

At  the  close  of  her  thirteenth  year  Caro- 
line attained  the  stature  of  a  woman.  Being 
tall  and  slender,  her  close  application  to 
study,  and  the  death  of  her  little  sister, 
occasioned  her  health  (which  had  always  be- 
fore been  good)  to  become  rather  delicate. 
A  journey  was  advised  ;  and  accordingly,  in 
the  spring  of  1814,  she  set  out,  accompanied 
by  her  mother,  on  a  journey  to  New-York,  to 
visit  a  number  of  beloved  relations  who  re- 
sided in  that  city.  On  this  journey  she  was 
also  accompanied  by  her  cousin,  Cornelia 
Walker,  who  had  been  as  a  companion  and 
sister  to  her  from  early  childhood.  A  detail 
of  the  incidents  which  occurred  during  that 
journey  will  not  be  attempted. 

They  travelled  by  land  ;  and  before  they 
had  proceeded  three  hundred  miles,  Mrs. 
Smelt  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  her  daugh- 
ter's health  improving  daily.  On  their  way, 
they  stopped  and  spent  a  Sabbath  in  a  small 
town.  They  attended  public  worship  both  in 
the  morning  and  afternoon.  It  was  announc- 
ed that  there  would  be  preaching  again  by 
candle-light.  The  young  ladies  intimated, 
that  as  they  should  have  to  renew  their  jour- 
ney early  next  morning,  they  would  rather 
go  to  bed  than  go  to  church  that,  night.  Mrs. 
Smelt  observed,  that  she  would  go  to  church, 
and  was  sorry  to  find  that  they  had  no  dispo- 
c  2 


SO  MEMOIRS  OF 

sition  to  accompany  her.  This  gentle  rebuke 
was  sufficient ;  they  botli  got  ready,  and  went 
with  her.  They  were  all  much  delighted 
with  the  preacher,  and  with  the  subject  and 
matter  of  his  discourse,  as  well  as  his  man- 
ner. He  was  solemn  and  impressive  ;  the 
congregation  large  and  very  attentive ;  the 
singing  unusually  melodious.  On  their  re- 
turn to  their  place  of  lodging,  Miss  Walker 
observed  to  Caroline  that  she  had  never 
heard  a  better  sermon  in  her  life.  Caroline 
replied,  "  I  think  it  was  an  excellent  one,  and 
I  am  now  very  glad  that  we  went.  I  do  think 
if  the  preacher  had  continued  a  little  longer, 
I  might  have  gotten  religion  ;  for  I  never  ex- 
perienced such  feelings   in    my  life   before. 

0  cousin  !  did  you  ever  hear  such  singing  I 

1  should  like  to  know  the  hymn,  that  I  might 
commit  it  to  memory."  She  referred  to  the 
exercises  of  that  evening  on  her  death-bed  ; 
and  said  that  she  had  never  lost  their  im- 
pression. 

They  spent  some  time,  for  the  purpose  of 
rest,  in  all  the  principal  towns  and  cities 
which  lay  on  their  way  to  New  York  ;  but 
made  a  considerable  stay  near  Richmond  in 
Virginia,  as  they  had  relations  in  its  neigh- 
bourhood. The  young  ladies  were  delighted 
with  all  they  saw.  Every  city  opened  upon 
their  youthful  vision  like  a  new  world  ;  Caro- 
line's health  still  improving,  and  her  mind  ex- 
panding more  and  more. 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  31 

When  they  reached  New-York,  it  was 
about  the  last  of  May.  Her  friends  there 
considered  Caroline's  health  still  rather  deli- 
cate ;  but  her  mother  regarded  it  as  suffi- 
ciently restored  to  qualify  her  for  resuming 
her  studies.  Accordingly,  as  soon  as  she  was 
perfectly  rested,  after  the  fatigue  of  the  jour- 
ney, Mrs.  Smelt  placed  her  at  an  excellent 
school,  designing  to  leave  her  there  a  year  or 
two,  if  she  could  receive  greater  advantages 
as  to  education,  in  that  city,  than  she  could 
at  home.  To  this  scheme  Caroline  could  not 
willingly  assent ;  and  offered  such  reasons  for 
her  opposition  as  determined  her  mother  to 
bring  her  home  with  her. 

Having  spent  eight  months  in  travelling 
and  visiting  their  friends,  they  returned  home 
by  the  same  route  by  which  they  had  gone  ; 
after  which,  Caroline  resumed  her  studies, 
partly  under  private  instructors.  At  this  pe- 
riod she  manifested  an  increasing  ambition  to 
acquire  literary  knowledge,  which  her  mother 
feared  would  occupy  her  whole  attention,  to 
the  exclusion  of  every  other  consideration. 
Mrs.  Smelt  frequently  admonished  her  at 
least  to  equalize  her  attention,  and  not  to  de- 
vote the  whole  of  her  time  to  that,  which 
however  laudable  in  itself,  she  was  carrying 
to  an  extreme.  To  this  Caroline  would  re- 
ply, that  she  was  desirous  of  obtaining  all  the 
useful  knowledge  she  could  ;  that  she  wished 
to  meet  the  expectations  of  her  friends,  and 


82  MEMOIRS  OF 

lo  lay  up  for  herself  a  plentiful  store  of  in  for- 
mation  while  she  was  young,  and  unencum- 
bered with  cares  or  pleasures.  She  lias  since 
confessed,  that  the  thirst  for  human  know- 
ledge had  excited  in  her  mind  so  much  ambi- 
tion to  be  considered  learned,  and  to  be 
distinguished  for  her  intellectual  attainments, 
that  she  frequently  feared  her  desires  to  be  a 
Christian  were  suffering  considerable  abate- 
ment; that  her  judgment  was  not  sufficiently 
matured  to  enable  her  rightly  to  divide  her 
time ;  that  she  stood  in  great  need  of  the  ad- 
monitory cautions  which  she  used  to  receive 
from  her  mother,  as  they  generally  tended  to 
humble  her  aspiring  notions,  and  bring  her  to 
serious  reflections.  She,  at  the  same  time, 
observed,  that  she  could  with  great  truth 
declare  that  she  had  never  felt  the  least 
tincture  of  vanity  in  her  nature,  except  what 
arose  from  the  compliments  which  her  friends 
had  paid  to  her  understanding.  "  But,"  said 
she,  "  the  goodness  of  Providence  quelled 
the  foolish  spirit,  by  showing  me  that  to 
whom  much  is  given,  of  the  same  much  will 
be  required."  And  resuming  the  conversa- 
tion at  another  time,  she  said,  "  My  beloved 
mother,  how  thankful  do  1  feel  that  1  was 
brought,  through  grace,  to  see  there  was 
time  for  all  things  ;  that  the  improvement  of 
my  youthful  mind  need  not  exclude  piety, 
but  that  both  could  sweetly  harmonize  ;  and 
every  talent  intrusted  to  my  care,  when  pro- 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  33 

perly  exercised,  might  redound  to  the  glory 
of  God.  Instead  of  being  vain,  I  now  feel  a 
double  weight  of  responsibility  ;  but  I  desire 
that  my  friends  may  never  compliment  me 
again  ;  it  may  prove  unprofitable.  I  would 
thank  them  much  more,  if  they  would  kindly 
tell  me  of  my  faults.  I  fondly  hope  my  va- 
nity and  foolish  ambition  were  buried  at  the 
same  time  ;  and  that  too,  before  any  but  a 
mother's  eye  had  discerned  them  ;  but  I  wish 
to  avoid  every  thing  that  may  rouse  their 
ashes." 

Thus  employed,  in  pursuing  such  an  edu- 
cation as  became  her  birth,  her  fortune,  and 
future  prospects  in  life,  she  continued  to  de- 
light her  parents,  and  increase  the  number  of 
her  friends,  by  exhibiting  every  virtue,  and 
performing  every  filial  duty  which  the  fond 
solicitude  of  parentage  could  desire  or  expect 
from  a  daughter  of  her  age,  until  she  had  com- 
pleted her  fifteenth  year. 


34  MEMOIRS  OF 


PART  SECOND. 

From  her  entrance  upon  her  sixteenth  year  to  the 
commencement  of  her  last  illness, including  a  period 
of  one  year  and  eight  months. 

Having  traced  the  footsteps  of  this  young 
female  through  the  periods  of  infancy  and 
childhood,  we  have  now  come  to  that  part. of 
her  short  life  which  was  most  eventful.  She 
had  now  arrived  at  the  commencement  of 
her  sixteenth  year,  when  she  was  about  to 
be  ushered  into  society  as  a  young  lady.  Her 
principles  were  pure,  her  manners  dignified, 
and  extremely  modest.  She  was  unaffected, 
intelligent,  and  inoffensive  ;  graceful,  meek, 
and  affectionate.  Her  mother  saw  much  to 
gratify  her  fond  heart,  but  her  mind  was  not 
free  from  maternal  anxiety.  The  eternal 
welfare  of  this  beloved  daughter  lay  near  her 
heart. 

Mrs.  Smell  had  long  ere  this  time  che- 
rished a  hope  that  her  beloved  Caroline  was  a 
child  of  grace  ;  but  she  now  feared  that  she 
might  be  drawn  into  various  temptations,  be 
allured  by  worldly  amusements,  contract  a 
fondness  for  gay  society,  and  thereby  lose 
her  religious  impressions.  She  regretted  the 
want  of  a  regular  ministry,  The  ill  health 
of  \)v.  Thompson,  who  was  their  pastor  at 


CAROLINE  iJ.   SMELT.  35 

that  time,  subjected  his  congregation  to  many 
privations.  Therefore,  the  only  resource  of 
her  mother's  mind,  in  her  trying  circum- 
stances, appeared  to  be  a  steady  applica- 
tion to  a  throne  of  grace  in  her  child's  be- 
ll alf,  together  with  the  use  of  such  methods 
and  admonitions  as  might  appear  most  proper 
to  counteract  the  influence  of  the  world. 
She  was  soon  surprised  to  see  her  daughter 
show  no  fondness  for  parties  of  pleasure,  and 
to  hear  her  express  great  wonder  that  rational 
beings  could  be  so  delighted  with  them.  She 
several  times  observed  to  her  mother,  that  she 
did  not  think  it  profitable  or  right,  in  serious 
people,  to  countenance  so  much  folly  and 
extravagance  in  what  were  termed  social 
parties  ;  and  as  to  her  own  feelings,  she  could 
truly  say  they  afforded  her  neither  pleasure 
nor  improvement ;  that  she  enjoyed  the  so- 
ciety of  a  few  friends  around  her  father's 
fireside,  or  the  perusal  of  a  good  book,  more 
than  she  did  any  gay  amusement. 

Notwithstanding  these  were  her  sentiments, 
she  was  often  allured  to  participate  in  fash- 
ionable follies,  and  for  eight  months  previous 
to  her  acquaintance  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  J.  she 
had  been  much  engaged  in  worldly  amuse- 
ments. 

There  are,  no  doubt,  many  who  will  ever 
regard  it  as  a  token  of  the  goodness  of  Di- 
vine Providence,  that  this  ambassador  of 
Christ  was  directed  to  visit  Augusta  at  this 


36  MEMOIRS    OF 

time.  His  visit  was  short,  but  long  enough 
to  afford  a  number  of  persons  an  opportunity 
of  becoming  acquainted  with  him,  of  hearing 
him  preach  several  times,  and  of  laying  the 
foundation  of  a  friendship  which,  it  is  hoped, 
will  continue  through  eternity.  He  left  them 
in  July,  1816,  intending  to  visit  the  western 
country,  and  uncertain  whether  he  would  re- 
turn to  Augusta.  Mrs.  Smelt  requested  an 
interest  in  his  prayers,  but  particularly  that 
he  would  remember  her  beloved  Caroline  at 
a  throne  of  grace  ;  and  she  yet  feels  a  pleas- 
ing confidence  that  he  did  not  forget  her 
request. 

Shortly  after  this,  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Augusta  being  then  destitute  of  a  pastor, 
Caroline  retired  to  the  country,  to  spend 
the  residue  of  the  summer  about  twelve  miles 
from  town.  There,  in  the  society  of  her 
sister-cousin,  Cornelia  Walker,  she  promised 
herself  much  satisfaction.  She  had  enjoyed 
this  retreat  but  a  few  days  when  she  was  at- 
tacked with  a  slight  indisposition,  but  which 
continued  until  the  month  of  October.  Dur- 
ing this  indisposition  both  her  parents  were 
frequently  with  her.  Her  mother  observed, 
with  deep  concern,  the  decline  of  her  Caro- 
line's health  ;  but  neither  she  nor  Dr.  Smelt 
could  discover  any  symptoms  to  justify  an 
apprehension  of  immediate  danger.  She 
was  not  confined,  nor  did  she  complain  of 
any  thing  but  want  of  appetite,  and  conse- 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  37 

quent  debility.  Her  parents  knew  her  at- 
tachment to  study,  and  advised  her  to  exer- 
cise more  in  the  open  air  ;  to  put  away,  for 
the  present,  her  books,  globes,  maps,  &c.  and 
to  substitute  walking",  riding,  and  swinging, 
until  her  strength  should  be  restored.  She 
complied  with  their  wishes,  and  in  a  few 
weeks  appeared  considerably  improved  in 
health,  but  not  entirely  well. 

Her  aunt  Walker,  who  was  daily  with  her, 
had  taken  up  an  idea  that  Caroline's  mind  or 
heart  was  not  at  ease.  She  mentioned  this 
to  Mrs.  Smelt,  who  could  not  think  so,  as 
the  beloved  of  her  bosom  had  never  concealed 
any  thing  from  her  knowledge  which  had  in- 
terested herself  in  the  smallest  degree.  Mrs. 
Walker  then  said  to  Mrs.  Smelt,  with  appa- 
rent concern,  "Sister,  I  will  give  you  my 
reasons  for  thinking  you  may  be  mistaken." 
Mrs.  Smelt,  feeling  well  assured  that  her  sis- 
ter was  influenced  by  the  purest  motives  of 
affection  to  them  both,  desired  her  to  do  so. 
She  then  stated  that  Caroline's  conduct  to- 
wards her  beloved  cousin  Cornelia  was  much 
changed;  and  that,  although  she  was  still 
kind  and  obliging,  yet  she  was  not  as  fond 
of  her  society  as  formerly  ;  would  frequently 
appear  to  avoid  her,  and  walk  alone  rather 
than  have  her  company ;  that  she  was  in  the 
habit  of  retiring  to  her  room,  and  remaining 
there  alone  for  two  or  three  hours  at  a  time  ; 
that  Cornelia  had  noticed  it,  and  more  than 
D 


38  MEMOIRS    OF 

once  had  said  to  her  cousin,  that  she  could 
not  account  for  such  a  change  in  her  deport- 
ment ;  to  which  Caroline  had  replied,  with 
her  usual  sweetness  of  temper,  that  she  was 
conscious  of  no  diminution  of  affection  for 
her,  but  that  she  felt  it  good  to  be  alone  some- 
times. Mrs.  Walker  farther  added,  that 
when  Mrs.  Smelt  was  not  there,  Caroline 
was  often  unusually  pensive  ;  but  when  she 
(Mrs.  Smelt)  was  present,  there  was  a  great 
difference  observable ;  that  but  a  few  days 
before,  she  (Mrs.  W.)  had  entered  Caroline's 
room,  and  found  her  writing ;  that  on  ap- 
proaching the  table  where  she  sat,  Caroline 
suddenly  gathered  up  her  papers,  and  hold- 
ing them  in  her  hand,  observed,  with  a  smile, 
"  Aunt  Walker,  you  have  given  me  a  little 
surprise."  Mrs.  W.  then  asked  her  to  let 
her  see  what  she  had  been  writing,  and  to 
whom  ;  but  with  this  request  she  did  not 
comply,  and  said  she  had  merely  been  scrib- 
bling a  little  for  her  own  amusement.  Mrs. 
Walker  farther  mentioned  to  her  sister,  that 
the  roll  which  Caroline  held  in  her  hand  was 
as  large  as  a  quire  of  paper,  but  she  saw  only 
the  outside  of  it. 

After  receiving  this  information,  without 
any  alarm,  Mrs.  Smelt  had  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  the  roll.  She  found  it  in  a  very  se- 
cret place,  and  its  contents  afforded  her  sincere 
satisfaction.  It  was  nothing  more  or  less 
than  a  diary,  or  breathings  after  divine  grace. 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  39 

In  the  presence  of  Mrs.  Walker  she  read  it, 
and  they  both  concluded  not  to  let  Caroline 
know  that  they  had  seen  it ;  hut  to  return  it 
to  its  proper  place,  and  let  her  continue  it 
without  interruption.  But  it  was  never  seen 
by  either  of  them  afterwards.  During  Caro- 
line's last  illness,  her  mother  informed  her 
of  these  particulars,  and  inquired  after  the 
manuscripts  ;  to  whom  she  replied  that  she 
had  destroyed  it,  not  supposing  that  her 
youthful  effusions  could  be  interesting  to  any 
one. 

She  returned  home  from  the  country  late 
in  October,  her  health  being  considerably 
improved,  yet  still  rather  feeble.  The 
church  which  she  had  usually  attended  was 
still  destitute  of  a  pastor.  She  was  soon 
surrounded  by  her  gay  young  friends,  and 
an  extensive  acquaintance  ;  but  she  seemed 
resolved  not  to  be  allured  into  what  she  then 
considered  to  be  criminal  amusements,  and 
took  a  decided  stand  against  them.  Within 
a  few  weeks  after  her  return,  the  Rev.  Mr.  J. 
again  visited  Augusta,  and  was  prevailed  on 
to  tarry  there  six  or  eight  months.  Caroline 
now  regularly  attended  on  his  ministry,  and 
appeared  to  grow  in  the  knowledge  and  love 
of  evangelical  truth.  Doctor  Smelt's  family 
were  frequently  favoured  with  the  social 
visits  of  their  pastor ;  and  a  pleasing  hope 
was  once  more  entertained  by  Mrs.  Smelt, 
that  her  Caroline  would  soon  make  a  profes- 


40  MEMOIRS    OF 

sion  of  her  faith  in  Christ.  She  could  sel- 
dom prevail  on  her  daughter  to  converse  free- 
ly about  herself.  Whenever  this  subject  was 
touched  upon,  which  lay  nearest  to  her  heart, 
tears  would  begin  to  ilow  without  one  word 
accompanying  them. 

In  the  course  of  the  winter,  Caroline 
engaged  in  a  Scripture-class,  composed  of 
young  ladies,  for  the  improvement  of  their 
knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  This 
institution  was  projected  and  patronized  by 
Mr.  J.,  and  was  of  incalculable  advantage 
to  Caroline.  During  the  winter,  she  re- 
sisted every  invitation  and  solicitation  to 
attend  the  dancing  assemblies,  except  one  ; 
and  but  once  did  she  attend  the  theatre.  On 
her  return  from  the  ball,  she  informed  her 
mother  that  she  had  made  a  solemn  resolution 
never  to  attend  another.  This  she  carefully 
kept,  and  never  did  attend  another  ball ; 
though  she  frequently  engaged  in  private  par- 
ties, but  seldom,  if  ever,  with  her  own  con- 
sent. 

About  this  time  Mrs.  Smelt  felt  unusually 
exercised  about  the  eternal  welfare  of  her 
daughter,  and  frequently  retired  with  her  to 
hold  secret  prayer.  She  felt  oppressed  with 
apprehensions  for  the  life  of  her  child,  and  to 
many  of  her  friends  expressed  a  fear  that  she 
should  lose  her  soon.  To  one  she  said,  "I 
fear  that  the  worm  is  already  in  the  root  of 
my  gourd  :    I  feel  an  awful  presentiment  that 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  41 

my  Caroline  will  descend  to  an  early  tomb." 
To  another  she  said,  "  O  that  my  child  were 
but  right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  ;  I  should 
then  feel  more  comfortable,  and  less  reluctant 
to  part  with  her."  To  a  pious  friend  she 
frequently  mentioned  her  apprehensions,  and 
entreated  him  to  lay  her  case  before  the  Lord. 
She  saw  that  Caroline  was  serious,  that  she 
had  very  correct  views  of  religion,  was  re- 
markably tender,  and  read  the  Scriptures ; 
she  had  also  good  reason  to  believe  that  she 
Mas  attentive  to  secret  devotion.  She  listen- 
ed attentively  to  pious  instructions,  while  the 
tears  would  flow  down  her  cheeks  ;  but  she 
never  could  draw  her  out  in  conversation,  so 
as  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  her  views  as  it 
respected  herself,  nor  could  any  of  her  pious 
friends  succeed  any  better. 

She  was  asked  several  times  by  her  mo- 
ther, why  she  observed  so  much  reserve  on 
this  all-important  subject,  and  could  be  so 
communicative  on  any  other  ?  She  once  re- 
plied, "  My  dear  mamma,  I  have  no  confi- 
dence in  myself;  I  hope  to  do  that  which 
is  right  when  I  shall  have  more  experience. 
I  desire  to  belong  to  the  little  flock,  but  I  am 
too  unstable."  On  another  occasion  she  said 
to  her  mother,  "  I  was  very  much  impressed 
under  the  discourse  of  Mr.  J.  last  Sabbath, 
and  thought  that  he  was  preaching  to  me  ex- 
clusively. I  felt  very  solemn,  and  made  a 
number  of  good  resolutions,  and  hoped  I 
d  2 


42  MEMOIRS    OF 

should  be  able  to  keep  them  :  I  thought  that 
I  would,  and  determined  to  begin  that  day  ; 
but,  alas  !  I  had  scarcely  left  the  church, 
when  I  was  surrounded  by  a  number  of  my 
gay  young  friends,  several  of  whom  walked 
home  with  me,  and  introduced  a  great  deal 
of  small  light  chat ;  and,  before  I  reached 
home,  I  found  all  the  solemnity  occasioned 
by  the  sermon  so  nearly  effaced,  that  scarce- 
ly an  impression  was  left.  I  feel  very  guilty 
as  it  is,  but  if  I  were  a  professing  Christian, 
what  dishonour  should  I  bring  on  the  church  !" 
The  winter  and  spring  passed  away  with- 
out any  very  remarkable  occurrence.  One 
circumstance,  however,  seems  worthy  of  no- 
tice, as  it  was  referred  to  afterwards.  Some 
time  late  in  that  winter,  Mr.  J.  accompanied 
by  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  who  was  a  stran- 
ger, came  to  Doctor  Smell's  house,  in  order 
to  spend  the  evening  with  the  family.  In 
the  course  of  the  conversation,  Mrs.  Smelt 
mentioned  some  of  the  difficulties  which  she 
had  experienced  when  she  was  about  to  be 
made  a  subject  of  the  new  birth.  Caroline 
had  often  heard  of  those  difficulties  before, 
and  always  discovered  much  sensibility  on 
such  occasions  ;  but  this  evening  she  ap- 
peared unusually  impressed,  insomuch  that 
she  took  no  part  in  the  conversation  after- 
wards. Mr.  J.  observing  that  she  was  de- 
jected, approached  her  seat,  and  with  affec- 
tionate solicitude  said   to  her,  "Miss  Caro- 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT,  43 

line,  you  must  not  be  discouraged  at  what 
your  mamma  has  stated ;  the  Lord,  I  hope, 
will  draw  you  by  the  cords  of  love.  Very 
few  experience  such  severe  exercises  of 
mind  as  she  did."  He  then  put  into  her 
hand  a  small  religious  tract,  which  she  read 
before  she  retired  to  rest,  and  which  appeared 
to  comfort  her,  though  she  said  nothing. 
Doctor  Smelt  being  on  a  visit  to  a  sick  lady 
in  the  country,  and  Caroline  intending  that 
night  to  sleep  with  her  mother,  the  latter 
considered  it  a  good  opportunity  to  converse 
freely  with  her  daughter  on  the  necessity  of 
obtaining  a  saving  interest  in  Christ,  Caro- 
line wept ;  they  went  to  prayer ;  she  sobbed 
aloud,  but  still  said  nothing.  After  retiring 
to  bed,  neither  of  them  could  sleep  until  a 
very  late  hour. 

From  this  period  Mrs.  Smelt  discovered  a 
great  change  in  her  child :  she  was  often 
pensive  ;  attached  herself  more  closely  to  her 
mother  than  before,  and  appeared  more  dis- 
gusted with  the  world  than  ever ;  more  anx- 
ious for  religious  instruction,  and  more  zeal- 
ous in  the  performance  of  every  duty. 

Her  birth-day  arrived ;  she  was  sixteen 
years  old.  Mr.  J.  called  in  on  that  day  to 
visit  the  family.  Before  leaving  the  house, 
he  engaged  in  prayer,  and  particularly  on 
behalf  of  Caroline.  She  was  much  agi- 
tated, but  still  observed  her  usual  taciturnity. 
Twelve  months  afterwards,  precisely  at  the 


44  MEMOIRS  OF 

same  hour  of  the  day,  he  was  engaged  in 
preaching  her  funeral  sermon  ! 

A  few  months  before  this,  Doctor  Smelt 
and  his  family  had  changed  their  residence, 
in  order  that  their  dwelling-house  might 
undergo  some  repairs.  Caroline  began  to 
express  her  anxiety  to  return  to  the  house  in 
which  she  was  born  :  she  said  she  was  at- 
tached to  every  part  of  it,  but  particularly  to 
one  room  ;  she  longed  to  occupy  that.  Hear- 
ing her  frequently  express  a  desire  to  see  the 
house  finished,  that  they  might  return  to  it, 
her  mother  said  to  her,  "  What  has  become 
of  your  patience,  my  child  ?  The  work  can- 
not go  on  faster  than  it  does."  She  replied, 
"O  mamma!  I  wish  to  take  possession  of 
my  own  little  room,  it  is  so  sweetly  adapted 
to  study  and  contemplation  :  and  then  I  shall 
be  on  the  same  story  with  you  and  papa,  and 
we  can  so  conveniently  visit  each  other's 
apartments  ;  for  I  want  always  to  be  near 
you." 

In  a  short  time  she  was  gratified,  and  took 
possession  of  this  favourite  apartment.  Her 
health  was  better  than  usual ;  indeed,  her  pa- 
rents considered  her  perfectly  well,  and  all 
tilings  appeared  to  go  on  prosperously  for  a 
few  weeks. 

It  was  now  the  month  of  July,  the  sickly 
season  approaching  fast,  aud  Mr.  J.  their 
pastor  about  to  set  out  for  the  north,  to  visit 
his   relations    and   recruit    his    own    health. 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  45 

These  united  considerations  contributed  to 
depress  the  mind  of  Mrs.  Smelt.  She  was 
still  impressed  with  a  presentiment  that  some 
great  trouble  awaited  her  in  a  short  time  ;  and 
she  could  not  banish  the  apprehension  from 
her  mind,  that  the  loss  of  her  only  living 
child  would  be  that  trouble.  The  prospect 
of  such  an  event  was  so  distressing,  that  she 
mentioned  her  uneasiness  to  several  friends, 
and  to  Mr.  J.  in  particular,  and  became  more 
than  ever  engaged  for  the  eternal  welfare  of 
her  daughter. 

Mr.  J.  called  to  take  leave  of  the  family 
before  his  departure.  After  he  left  the 
house,  Mrs.  Smelt  retired  and  left  Caroline 
in  the  room  by  herself.  On  her  mother's  re- 
turn, she  was  found  sitting  in  the  same  spot 
where  she  had  been  left,  still  holding  a  book 
in  her  hand  which  she  had  just  received  as  a 
parting  gift  from  her  pastor.  She  appeared 
much  dejected.  Her  mother  seated  herself 
by  her,  and  entered  into  a  detail  of  the  advan- 
tages that  might  result  from  their  acquaint- 
ance with  Mr.  J.  if  they  followed  his  coun- 
sels, and  improved  them  as  they  ought. 
Caroline  then  expressed  her  deep  regret  that 
the  church  would  again  be  shut  up,  and 
wished  that  Mr.  J.  could  have  been  pre- 
vailed on  to  stay  the  year  out ;  for  she  was 
very  sure  he  could  not  be  more  wanted  any- 
where else. 


46  MEMOIRS   OF 

While  the  Presbyterian  house  of  worship 
was  shut  up,  Mrs.  Smelt  and  her  daughter 
determined  to  attend  the  Methodist  chapel, 
the  worthy  pastor  of  that  congregation  being 
a  man  of  exalted  piety.  For  several  Sab- 
baths they  attended  the  Sunday-school,  which 
afforded  Caroline  the  highest  satisfaction : 
she  resolved  to  make  application  for  instruct- 
ing a  female  class,  but  on  the  13th  of  August 
her  mother  was  taken  sick,  and  she  never  af- 
terwards had  an  opportunity. 

When  Mrs.  Smelt  was  taken  ill,  the  first 
symptoms  gave  reason  to  believe  that  she 
would  have  a  severe  attack.  The  fever 
which  had  appeared  in  the  city  was  raging 
with  great  violence.  She  had  been  much  ex- 
posed to  it,  and  for  four  or  five  days  and 
nights  previous  to  her  attack  she  had  been 
sitting  up,  and  attending  to  an  orphan  child, 
who  died  that  evening,  in  the  fourteenth 
year  of  her  age.  Finding  herself  unwell,  and 
the  child  dying,  she  returned  home,  stated 
the  little  sufferer's  situation  to  her  daughter, 
but  did  not  mention  her  own  symptoms. 
Caroline  expressed  a  desire  to  see  the  dying 
orphan,  as  she  had  never  seen  any  person  die. 
Apprehensive  that  she  might  take  the  fever, 
or  be  greatly  alarmed,  her  mother  hesitated : 
at  length  she  committed  her  to  the  care  of 
a  merciful  God,  and,  with  uncommon  fer- 
vour, implored  that  He   would  sanctify  this 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  47 

visit  to  the  chamber  of  death  to  the  heart  of 
her  beloved  daughter.  The  result  evinced 
that  her  prayers  were  heard  and  answered. 

Caroline  went ;  the  distance  was  only  to 
the  next  door.  She  stayed  some  time  ;  re- 
turned, and  reported  the  little  girl  to  be  in 
convulsive  agonies.  She  could  not  stay  to 
see  the  end  ;  such  sufferings  she  had  never 
before  witnessed.  She  was  bathed  in  tears, 
and  overwhelmed  with  sorrow  :  her  fears 
were  immediately  excited  on  her  mother's 
account,  because  she  saw  that  she  was  ill. 
She  afterwards  informed  her  mother  that  she 
had  never  tasted  the  bitterness  of  sorrow 
until  that  night;  that  her  soul  was  in  deep 
anguish,  and  her  heart  near  bursting.  On 
this  occasion  her  appearance  was  peculiarly 
interesting.  She  requested  permission  to  sit 
up  with  her  mother,  that  she  might  adminis- 
ter to  her  comfort  through  the  night;  but, 
out  of  tenderness  towards  her,  this  request 
was  denied  her.  Mrs.  Smelt  did  not  think 
it  necessary ;  and  the  doctor  (her  father) 
considered  that  it  would  be  a  very  improper 
exposure  of  her  own  health,  and  insisted 
on  her  going  to  bed.  After  using  various 
arguments  in  order  to  gain  her  point,  but 
without  effect,  she  retired ;  but  not  to  sleep. 

About  an  hour  afterwards  she  entered  her 
mother's  room,  holding  a  candle  in  her  hand, 
trembling  and  pale.  Her  mother  was  alarm- 
ed.     Caroline    addressed    her    father   thus : 


48  MEMOIRS   OF 

"  My  dear  papa,  I  have  complied  with  your 
wishes  in  retiring  to  my  room  ;  but  sleep  I 
cannot.  I  felt  reluctant  to  disturb  you,  or 
disobey  your  kind  commands  ;  but,  O  papa ! 
I  cannot  rest  while  my  blessed  mamma  is 
suffering.  I  thought  just  now  I  heard  her 
groan,  and  feared  she  was  getting  worse.  I 
could  no  longer  keep  from  her.  How  should 
my  conscience  acquit  me  before  God,  were  I 
to  omit  a  single  duty  to  such  a  mother  ?"  She 
then  approached  her  mother,  and  inquired 
affectionately  how  she  was.  Mrs.  Smelt  re- 
plied that  she  felt  much  better,  and  that  she 
had  been  mistaken  as  to  the  groan — begged 
her  to  be  composed,  and  try  to  get  some 
sleep.  Caroline  replied  that  that  was  impos- 
sible, with  her  feelings  ;  that  all  she  desired 
was  to  sit  by  her  mother's  bedside,  and  be 
ready  to  perform  any  little  office  she  might 
require  through  the  night  ;  and  entreated  her 
papa  not  to  ask  her  to  return  to  her  room 
again. 

Her  parents  found  that  she  was  too  much 
agitated  for  them  to  insist  any  longer,  and 
she  was  desired  to  lie  down  by  her  mother's 
side.  It  was  not  thought  that  she  slept  any ; 
for  frequently  through  the  night  her  hand 
was  found  gently  resting  on  the  cheek  of  her 
mamma,  in  order  to  discover  if  the  fever  was 
abating.  About  daylight,  her  parents  as- 
sured her  that  her  mother  was  much  better, 
and  clear  of  fever ;  and  both   united   in  re- 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  49 

questing  her  to  retire  to  her  own  bed,  and  en- 
deavour to  get  a  little  sleep  before  breakfast. 
In  conformity  to  their  wishes  she  retired, 
and  about  an  hour  afterwards  came  down 
stairs  quite  composed,  and  with  a  smile  on 
her  countenance.  Her  mother  from  that  time 
was  convalescent,  and  Caroline  showed  the 
most  devoted  attention  to  her,  and  the  most 
affectionate  solicitude  for  her  recovery  :  she 
appeared  desirous  to  do  every  thing  for  her — 
to  administer  medicine,  give  her  nourish- 
ment, adjust  her  pillows,  &c.  nor  would  she 
willingly  leave  her.  Mrs.  Smelt,  although 
her  symptoms  were  favourable,  yet  felt  great 
depression  of  spirits.  Caroline  perceived  it, 
and  tried  every  way  to  comfort  her:  she 
would  say,  "  My  dear  mamma,  you  will 
get  well;  I  feel  a  happy  assurance  that  you 
will  recover."  To  this  Mrs.  Smelt  replied, 
"  You  may  be  mistaken  ;  and  you  are  one  of 
my  greatest  causes  of  distress." — "  Why  so, 
my  dear  mamma?"  said  Caroline.  "Be- 
cause (said  Mrs.  Smelt)  I  have  never  dis- 
charged my  duty  as  a  responsible  mother,  in 
the  way  in  which  I  ought  to  have  done  it ; 
and  I  fear  that,  at  the  bar  of  God,  I  will  be 
found  awfully  delinquent. — I  have  not  been 
as  much  engaged  for  your  eternal  welfare,  as 
for  the  perishing  things  of  time.  And  now, 
should  I  be  removed,  how  soon  may  you 
forget  the  feeble  instructions  I  have  given 
you  !  Whereas,  had  I  been  more  zealously 
E 


50  MEMOIRS    OF 

engaged  in  pointing  out  to  you  the  way  that 
leads  to  eternal  happiness,  I  might  have 
hoped  that  the  Lord  would  not  only  acquit 
me,  but  take  you  under  his  special  care  in 
this  life,  and  in  his  own  good  time  receive 
you  to  himself." 

Caroline  then  burst  into  tears,  drew  near 
to  her  mother,  and  with  great  feeling  said, 
44  My  dear  mamma,  you  will  stand  acquitted. 
What  could  you  have  done  that  you  have 
not  done  to  bring  me  to  Christ  ?  If  I 
have  been  inflexible,  that  is  not  your 
fault.  I  am  truly  distressed  to  think  I 
should  occasion  you  one  uneasy  moment. 
I  desire  to  comfort  you.  O!  tell  me  not 
that  you  feel  any  condemnation  on  my 
account :  indeed  you  are  clear  of  my  blood  ; 
and  I  hope  you  will  live  to  see  me  all  you  so 
ardently  desire.  I  am  not  so  graceless,  per- 
haps, as  you  may  suppose.  The  Lord  has 
been  striving  with  me  for  many  years,  and  I 
have  not  been  entirely  thoughtless.  No,  in- 
deed ;  for  I  have  long  wished  for  an  interest 
in  the  great  atonement.  I  have  long  desired 
to  become  one  of  the  little  flock  ;  but  I  feared 
I  was  too  inexperienced,  too  ignorant,  too  un- 
stable, and  too  unworthy  to  make  a  public 
profession  of  my  faith  in  Christ.  O  mamma  ! 
I  have  long  wished  to  tell  you  what  was 
passing  in  my  heart ;  but  I  feared  to  excite 
hopes  in  your  affectionate  breast  which 
might  never  be  realized,  and  the  greater  con- 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT,  51 

demnation  would  be  my  portion.  But  I 
have  now  come  to  a  decided  stand.  It  may 
give  you  some  comfort  to  hear  some  of  my 
late  exercises.  I  feel  as  if  I  could  no  longer 
keep  them  a  secret  from  you.  I  ought  to 
have  told  you  them  before,  and  you  would 
have  strengthened  me.  I  felt  this  the  other 
night,  when  I  thought  I  should  lose  you  ;  and 
I  then  determined  that,  if  the  Lord  spared 
your  life,  you  should  know  all.  O !  I  see 
in  the  hour  of  sore  distress,  that  all  created 
comforts  are  but  broken  reeds  ;  that  if  we 
have  not  God  for  our  friend,  'vain  is  the 
help  of  man.'  This  I  realized  in  the  night 
when  you  were  taken  sick.  It  was  the  first 
time  I  ever  tasted  the  bitterness  of  real  sor- 
row. I  had  been  that  afternoon  and  even- 
ing much  exercised  at  the  dying  bed  of  our 
little  friend.  I  never  had  such  feelings  in  all 
my  life — I  viewed  with  horror  the  change  in 
her  countenance — I  saw  her  struggles — the 
sight  was  more  than  I  could  bear  :  I  said, 
4  Is  this  death  ?  He  is  indeed  the  king  of 
terrors.'  I  was  about  to  hasten  home.  I 
stopped  a  little  longer — I  thought  I  would 
summon  fortitude  to  stay  and  see  the  end. 
A  convulsion  came  on — I  was  exceedingly 
alarmed — I  thought  I  must  retire  ;  but  in  an 
instant  it  occurred  to  me,  that  I  too  would 
have  to  die  ;  and  if  every  one  who  might  be 
around  my  dying  couch,  should  act  towards 
me  as  I  was  about  to  do  towards  her,  not  one 


52  MEMOIRS  OF 

would  have  firmness  enough  to  see  my  end — • 
and  how  should  I  feel  to  be  deserted  at  such 
an  awful  moment?  I  prayed  for  strength  to 
enable  me  to  stay  and  be  useful,  and  that  the 
whole  scene  might  be  sanctified  to  my  soul. 
I  felt  more  composed,  and  strove  to  do  some 
acts  of  kindness  to  the  poor  little  girl.  I 
tried  to  fan  her,  and  to  wipe  the  cold  drops 
from  her  face ;  but  my  nerves  were  too  fee- 
ble, and  my  agitation  too  great  to  do  any 
thing.  I  sat  down  and  meditated  on  what 
was  passing.  I  felt  concerned  for  the  soul 
of  the  child.  She  had  entered  on  her  four- 
teenth year — I  thought  her  at  an  accountable 
age.  She  had  been  brought  up  in  Christian 
principles  ;  but,  during  her  tedious  illness, 
had  not  uttered  one  pious  expression,  one 
holy  desire,  but  had  manifested  great  alarm 
at  the  idea  of  death — and,  until  deprived  of 
speech,  had  expressed  strong  hopes  or  a  firm 
belief  that  she  should  recover.  I  felt  deep 
regret  that  this  was  the  case  with  too  many 
that  were  older  than  she.  I  then  asked  my- 
self this  question,  had  you  been  called  to  such 
a  bed  as  this,  would  you  have  been  ready 
or  willing  to  go  ?  The  answer  was,  No. 
I  felt  at  that  moment  as  if  death  were  armed 
with  ten  thousand  terrors.  O  !  how  fervent- 
ly did  I  desire  that  the  Lord  would  not  call 
me  till  I  was  made  fit  for  his  acceptance.  I 
wanted  to  feel  that  love  that  casteth  out  fear  ; 
but  I  was  tempest  tossed,  and  could  realize 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  63 

nothing  that  was  comfortable.  I  returned 
home  melancholy  and  oppressed,  and  found 
you  had  retired  to  bed  with  a  high  fever. 
My  heart  was  overwhelmed  with  apprehen- 
sions for  your  life  and  my  own  soul.  I  could 
not  conceal  my  distress.  Papa  thought  I 
would  alarm  you,  and  insisted  on  my  going 
to  bed.  I  was  compelled  to  retire,  but  sleep 
I  could  not.  When  I  entered  my  room,  I 
prostrated  myself  at  the  footstool  of  mercy. 

0  !  how  I  entreated  the  Lord  to  spare  your 
precious  life — and  to  seal  me  his  own  for 
ever.  I  felt  as  if  no  power  on  earth  could 
relieve  me.  Some  such  reflections  as  these 
then  passed  through  my  mind  : — You  see 
now  what  a  vain  bubble  this  world  is;  what 
a  change  have  a  few  hours  made  in  your 
feelings  ;  and  a  few  more  may  produce  still 
greater.  You  may  lose  your  mother,  and 
what  will  become  of  you  then?  who  will 
guide  your  erring  footsteps  ?  who  will  give 
you  sweet  counsel?  who  will  sooth  and  com- 
fort you  in  the  hour  of  sickness  as  she  has 
done?  With  a  bursting  heart,  I  answered, 
No  one.     My  agitation  increased  violently — - 

1  could  not  lay  my  troubles  before  you.  I 
was  alone — and,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life, 
I  felt  deserted.  The  fear  that  I  should  lose 
you  was  uppermost.  I  saw  that  I  deserved 
chastisement,  and  felt  the  frowns  of  Provi- 
dence which  I  had  deserved.  At  that  mo- 
ment  I  thought  I  heard  you  groan— I  could 

e2" 


54  MEMOIRS    OF 

no  longer  keep  from  you — I  ran  down  stairs), 
and  entreated  papa  to  let  me  remain  with 
you.  He  kindly  consented;  and  the  residue 
of  the  night  was  spent  in  prayer  to  God,  and 
serious  reflections  ;  for  I  could  not  sleep.  I 
sometimes  thought  I  would  give  worlds,  if  I 
possessed  them,  to  know  that  the  Lord  was 
my  friend.  I  clearly  saw  that  no  power  but 
his  could  deliver  me  ;  and  that  it  was  vain  to 
expect  relief  from  any  other  quarter.  1  felt 
as  if  the  world  would  contain  nothing  that 
could  afford  me  any  consolation,  if  you  were 
removed;  and  particularly,  I  should  never 
forgive  myself  for  not  having  improved,  as  I 
ought,  the  many  lessons  of  useful  instruction 
you  had  given  me. 

"  My  thoughts  often  recurred  to  the  dying 
child.  I  said,  what  is  all  the  world  to  her 
now  ?  she  cannot  swallow  so  much  as  one 
cup  of  cold  water.  I  may  soon  see  my  mo- 
ther in  the  same  situation  ;  I  may  soon  be  in 
the  same  condition  myself.  O  !  that  I  could 
feel  the  benign  influence  of  the  religion  of 
the  Saviour  ;  for  there  is  nothing  but  this 
that  can  sustain  us  in  the  hour  of  aiHiction. 

"  In  the  morning  I  was  much  comforted 
to  hear  you  say  you  were  better.  You  de- 
sired me  to  be  composed,  to  retire  to  my  own 
room,  and  try  to  get  some  sleep  before  break- 
fast.  I  retired  ;  but  not  to  sleep.  I  took 
with  me  your  small  Bible.  When  I  entered 
my  room,  I  bowed  on  my  knees  and  poured 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  55 

out  my  soul  in  prayer  to  my  heavenly  Fa- 
ther. I  felt  comforted.  I  then  made  a  so- 
lemn promise  that,  if  the  Lord  would  spare 
your  life,  I  would  engage  with  my  whole 
heart  to  serve  Him  the  residue  of  my  days  on 
earth,  by  the  aid  of  his  heavenly  grace — that 
I  would  never  again  engage  in  worldly  amuse- 
ments, nor  do  any  thing,  willingly,  to  grieve 
his  Holy  Spirit.  I  then  prayed  for  some 
manifestation  of  my  being  a  child  of  God,  if 
I  were  one  indeed.  After  which  I  opened 
the  Bible,  and  the  first  passage  which  pre- 
sented itself  to  my  view  was  Nahum's  pro- 
phecy, chapter  1st  and  verse  7th.  These 
are  the  words  :  '  The  Lord  is  good,  a  strong 
hold  in  the  day  of  trouble,  and  he  knoweth 
them  that  trust  in  him.'  Oh  what  comfort 
did  I  at  that  moment  receive?  It  was  the 
first  Scripture  promise  that  I  had  ever  been 
able  to  apply  to  myself.  I  immediately  felt 
such  an  assurance  that  you  would  recover, 
and  that  the  Lord  had  heard  and  would  an- 
swer my  prayers,  that  I  have  not  had  a  sin- 
gle doubt  since  on  that  subject.  I  soon  felt 
such  sweet  composure,  attended  with  grati- 
tude and  love  to  my  heavenly  Father,  that 
I  returned  to  you  quite  a  different  creature, 
and  have  been  able  to  attend  upon  you  ever 
since,  without  any  of  those  poignant  sensa- 
tions that  overwhelmed  me  on  the  first  night 
of  your  attack.  I  am  resolved  to  devote  my- 
self to  the  service  of  this  gracious  Being — 


56  -        MEMOIRS    OF 

He  is  worthy  to  be  served.  My  confidence, 
my  hope  is,  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  serve 
him  acceptably.  My  dear  mamma,  take 
comfort;  do  not  allow  your  faith  to  become 
weak.  I  hope  you  will  not  have  it  to  say 
again  that  I  am  a  source  of  unhappiness  to 
you.  I  cannot  bear  that  reflection.  Oh  pray 
for  me  !  and  I  hope  the  Lord  will  soon  make 
me  one  of  his  own  dear  children,  and  a  rich 
blessing  to  you." 

This  communication  from  Caroline  ope- 
rated as  a  healing  balm  to  her  mother's 
whole  system.  They  conversed  freely  from 
day  to  day.  Caroline  appeared  to  throw  off 
all  restraint  in  conversing  with  her  mother 
on  the  subject  of  experimental  religion  ;  and, 
in  the  course  of  five  or  six  days,  Mrs.  Smelt 
was  restored  to  a  comfortable  measure  of 
health. 

Caroline  now  appeared  to  attach  herself 
to  her  mother  more  than  ever ;  seemed  re- 
luctant to  leave  her,  even  to  attend  to  com- 
mon duties  ;  would  often  invite  her  into  her 
room  in  order  to  have  social  conversation,  or 
that  they  might  read  to  each  other.  When 
Mrs.  Smelt  was  obliged  to  leave  her,  she 
would  entreat  her  to  return  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible ;  and  on  returning,  her  mother  would 
frequently  find  her  reading  the  Scriptures. 

A  short  time  before  she  was  taken  sick, 
she  engaged  with  two  other  ladies  to  make  a 
collection  for  the  poor.     Very  many  of  that 


CAROLINE   E.  SMELT.  57 

class  in  the  city-bounds  were  in  great  afflic- 
tion, and  required  some  public  effort  to  be 
made  for  their  relief.  On  the  morning  of  that 
day  on  which  they  were  to  commence  their 
benevolent  operations,  she  hesitated — indeed 
shed  tears,  and  said  that  she  felt  such  reluc- 
tance and  timidity,  she  wished  to  be  excused. 
Her  father  and  mother  both  gave  her  every 
encouragement ;  desired  her  to  lay  aside  her 
fears,  and  to  look  only  at  the  magnitude  and 
importance  of  the  object.  She  wiped  away 
her  tears,  summoned  up  resolution  to  go 
forth,  and  in  a  few  hours  they  collected  more 
than  six  hundred  dollars  from  the  charitable 
inhabitants  of  the  city.  When  Caroline  saw 
the  success  which  had  attended  this  their  first 
effort  of  the  kind,  she  said,  "  Well,  mamma, 
how  delightful  is  the  path  of  duty  !  My  poor 
timid  nature  shrunk  from  the  task  before 
me  this  morning;  and,  if  you  and  papa  had 
not  encouraged  me  as  you  did,  I  should  have 
stayed  at  home  and  done  nothing  for  the  poor 
this  day.  I  am  now  thankful  that  I  went, 
though  I  am  very  sure  I  did  not  aid  the  cause 
much ;  for  /  asked  but  one  person  to  con- 
tribute his  mite,  and  that  was  an  intimate 
acquaintance.  I  carried  the  purse,  and  left 
all  the  begging  to  the  other  two  ladies. 
However,  I  feel  pleasant  this  evening  in  re- 
flecting on  the  events  of  the  day,  and  hope  I 
may  be  more    useful   in    future,"     She   ap» 


58  MEMOIRS  OF 

peared  in  better  health  than  usual  from  this 
period,  to  the  day  on  which  she  was  attacked 
with  the  fatal  fever  which  terminated  her  life. 
Indeed,  her  health  for  several  preceding 
months  had  been  considered  by  her  parents 
as  being  very  good. 


CAROLINE  E.   SMELT.  59 

PART  THIRD. 

Containing  an  account  of  her  last  sickness  and  death. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  August, 
somewhat  more  than  a  fortnight  after  her 
painful  exercises  about  her  mother,  Caro- 
line was  sitting  in  her  own  room,  in  cheerful 
conversation  with  her  mother  and  another 
female  friend.  She,  after  some  time,  laid 
down  her  sewing,  and  walked  into  her  mo- 
ther's room.  Mrs.  Smelt,  finding  that  her 
daughter  did  not  return  immediately,  after 
some  delay,  followed  her  and  found  her  ex- 
tended on  the  bed.  She  observed  that  Caro- 
line looked  very  pale,  and  inquired  the 
cause.  Caroline  very  calmly  replied  that 
she  felt  very  unwell — that  she  had  been 
seized  with  a  sudden  vertigo  ;  that  she  found 
the  bed  a  very  timely  relief,  for  she  could  not 
balance  herself;  that  she  then  felt  much  bet- 
ter, and  would  soon  get  up.  Mrs.  Smelt 
then  called  her  husband,  the  doctor,  into  the 
room,  who  examined  her  pulse,  and  applied 
some  volatiles  to  his  daughter's  head  ;  after 
which  she  was  soon  so  much  relieved  as  to 
be  able  to  get  up,  dress  herself,  and  join  the 
famriy  at  dinner  in  her  usual  spirits.  But, 
in  the  course  of  that  night,  a  most  violent 


00  HBMOIRS  OF 

fever   came  on,   which  was    never    perfectly 
subdued. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  she  was  all  the  day 
under  the  active  operation  of  medicine,  and 
oppressed  with  much  pain;  but  manifested 
the  most  exemplary  patience  and  submis- 
sion. 

On  the  30th,  she  was  bled,  took  more 
medicine,  but  without  any  relief  perceivable 
by  herself  or  those  around  her  ;  the  fever  still 
continuing  very  high. 

August  31st.  Her  fever  still  continued 
very  high.  The  operation  of  bleeding  was 
this  day  repeated.  Her  sufferings  to-day 
were  very  great ;  but  not  a  single  complaint 
escaped  her  lips,  nor  did  she  discover  the 
least  alarm ;  although  it  was  the  first  time  in 
her  life  that  she  had  ever  been  confined  a 
whole  day  to  her  bed,  and  the  first  attack  of 
fever  she  had  ever  experienced. 

September  1st.  This  was  a  day  never  to 
be  forgotten  by  Mrs.  Smelt:  her  feelings 
were  such  as  cannot  be  described — no  lan- 
guage can  convey  an  adequate  idea  of  them. 
She  saw  her  child  ill,  and  feared  the  worst. 
She  strove  repeatedly  to  entreat  the  Lord  to 
spare  her  daughter's  life  ;  but  seemed  as  if 
she  could  not  pray.  At  length  she  pros- 
trated herself  before  God,  time  after  time, 
and  implored  the  God  of  mercy  to  wash  her 
child  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ;  and  if  she 
were  about  to  be  removed  by  death,  to  enable 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  61 

her  to  leave  her  friends  some  comforting- 
token  of  her  acceptance  with  God.  The 
mother's  agonies  were  great  and  distressing 
on  this  subject.  She  pleaded  for  this  bless- 
ing to  her  daughter,  in  the  name  and  for  the 
sake  of  the  blessed  Redeemer.  She  pleaded 
various  promises  in  the  word  of  God.  At 
length  she  promised  that  if  the  Lord  would 
be  gracious  to  the  soul  of  her  child,  she 
would  give  her  up  without  a  murmur.  To- 
wards evening  she  was  more  composed,  had 
stronger  faith;  but  her  daughter  was  no 
better. 

Caroline  was  sensible  of  her  mother's  dis- 
tress, and  said  all  she  could  to  comfort  her. 
The  friends j  as  well  as  the  physicians  who 
were  present,  were  surprised  to  see  her  so 
composed  and  submissive.  They  ascribed 
this,  in  a  great  degree,  to  her  tenderness  for 
her  mother. 

On  the  second  day  of  September,  her 
symptoms  exhibited  no  favourable  change  ; 
but  Mrs.  Smelt's  confidence  in  the  Lord  was 
now  strong.  She  was  not  now  pleading  for 
the  life  of  her  beloved  daughter,  but  for  the 
salvation  of  her  soul.  Throughout  this  day 
Caroline  appeared  tranquil — read  a  portion 
of  God's  word,  as  she  generally  did  during 
her  confinement ;  or,  when  too  ill,  her  mo- 
ther read  for  her,  but  this  day  she  read  for 
herself.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  Mrs.  Smelt 
said  to  her,  "  My  dear  Caroline,  you  are  now 
F 


62  MEMOIRS    OF 

on  the  bed  of  affliction ;  I  hope  yon  do  not 
neglect  to  call  upon  the  Lord."  She  replied, 
"Oh  mamma!  do  you  think  I  could  neglect 
so  important  a  duty  ?" 

In  the  afternoon  some  friends  called  to  see 
her.  She  did  not  converse  much,  but  was  to 
appearance  entirely  calm.  When  they  were 
about  to  leave  the  house,  Mrs.  Smelt  accom- 
panied them  to  the  door.  Having  felt  an 
unusual  degree  of  peace  and  comfort  all  that 
day,  she  detained  one  of  the  ladies  for  a  few 
moments,  to  converse  about  Caroline's  case, 
and  her  own  views  of  the  subject.  They 
had  not  stood  long,  before  she  was  informed 
by  a  servant  that  her  daughter  wanted  her. 
She  hastened  to  her ;  and  as  she  approached 
her  bedside,  Caroline  addressed  her  in  these 
words,  "  My  dear  mamma !  I  do  not  want 
you  to  leave  me  at  all ;  you  are  such  a  rich 
blessing  to  me,  that  I  wish  to  have  you  con- 
stantly in  view." 

Mrs.  Smelt  then  sat  down,  and  was  re- 
quested by  her  to  read  a  portion  of  Scripture  ; 
which  was  done.  She  then  said,  "  My  dear 
mamma,  I  have  been  much  disturbed  in  mind 
to-day  ;  but  I  felt  reluctant  to  oppress  you  with 
more  trouble  than  you  have  already,  and  there- 
fore forbore  telling  you.  But  I  cannot  conceal 
it  any  longer."  Her  mother  then  invited  her 
to  tell  her  all.  She  said  that  she  had  all 
day  been  disturbed  by  this  passage  of  Scrip- 
ture, "  The  harvest   is  past,  the  summer  is 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  63 

ended,  and  we  are  not  saved."  "It  is  con- 
tinually in  my  mind,  and  fills  me  with  dread- 
ful apprehensions."  Mrs.  Smelt  then  ob- 
served, "  If  that  passage  gives  my  darling 
distress,  let  your  mother  direct  you  to  a 
few  of  the  precious  promises,"  and  then  re- 
peated the  following:  "Come  unto  me,  all 
ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  give  you  rest."  "Ask,  and  it  shall  be 
given  you  ;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find ;  knock, 
and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you."  She  said 
she  felt  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  sin.  Her 
mother  then  repeated,  "  Though  your  sins  be 
as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ; 
though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall 
be  as  wool." 

Mrs.  Smelt,  observing  her  to  be  much 
agitated  at  that  time,  was  enabled  with  great 
energy  to  say  to  her,  "  My  beloved  daughter, 
the  Lord  says,  *  Turn  ye  to  the  strong  hold, 
ye  prisoners  of  hope ;  even  to-day  do  I  de- 
clare that  I  will  render  double  unto  thee.1 
This  promise  is  sent  to  you,  my  child,  as 
certainly  as  it  was  sent  to  me,  many  years 
ago."  She  replied,  "  Do  you  think  so,  my 
mother?"  Her  mother  assured  her  that  it 
was  her  belief.  She  then  requested  her  mo- 
ther to  pray  with  her.  A  female  friend  being 
present,  they  kneeled  by  her  bedside,  and 
addressed  a  throne  of  grace  in  her  behalf. 
The  necessity  of  exercising  a  lively  faith  in 
the  merits  of  the  Redeemer  was  then  strongly 


64  MEMOIRS    OF 

urged  upon  her.  She  said  she  wanted  to 
feel  that  she  had  an  interest  in  Christ — that 
she  feared  she  had  never  been  regenerated  ; 
repeating,  "  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he 
cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God." 
"  O  that  I  could  know  that  I  had  passed 
through  the  new  birth."  Her  mother  begged 
her  to  look  to  the  compassionate  Saviour,  and 
be  comforted. 

After  some  short  time,  Caroline  said, 
"  Let  perfect  silence  be  observed,  and  do  you, 
my  mother,  engage  with  me  in  silent  prayer 
to  God  for  a  manifestation  of  his  acceptance 
of  my  immortal  soul."  They  then  com- 
menced their  silent  devotions  ;  and  in  about 
half  an  hour  afterwards  Doctor  Smelt  entered 
the  room,  felt  her  pulse,  and  said,  "  My  dear 
Caroline,  I  have  just  been  called  upon  to 
visit,  in  consultation,  a  sick  lady  in  our 
neighbourhood.  I  will  be  absent  only  fifteen 
or  twenty  minutes.  You  must  not  be  un- 
easy ;  for  you  have  less  fever  than  you  had 
at  this  time  yesterday  ;  and  I  hope  you  will 
have  a  very  comfortable  night."  Her  hands 
were  still  clasped,  nor  had  she  opened  her 
eyes  while  he  addressed  her.  Supposing  her 
silence  to  be  a  mark  of  her  disapprobation  of 
his  leaving  her  for  a  few  moments,  her  father 
said,  in  a  tone  of  affection,  "  You  do  not 
wish  me  to  go,  Caroline?"  She  then  spoke 
and  said,  "  0  yes,  go,  papa  ;  but  do  not  stay 
longer  than  you  can  possibly  help."   He  then 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  65 

left  the  room,  and  she  was  still  observed  to 
continue  her  devotion. 

Every  thing  remained  in  perfect  silence 
until  her  father  returned,  which  was  about 
twenty  minutes  afterwards.  He  entered  the 
room,  found  her  in  the  same  attitude  in  which 
he  had  left  her,  but  a  most  alarming  change 
in  her  pulse.  He  hastily  threw  himself  into 
an  easy-chair  near  her  bedside,  and  mani- 
fested great  emotion.  He  then  inquired  if  it 
was  not  time  for  the  visiting  physicians  to 
call.  Mrs.  Smelt,  seeing  her  husband  so  much 
alarmed,  felt  greatly  agitated  indeed,  but  was 
enabled  to  conceal  her  concern  in  a  consider- 
able degree.  All  things  remained  thus  for 
a  few  minutes  longer.  Mrs.  Smelt  could 
not  pray  connectedly ;  but  broken  aspira- 
tions and  ejaculatory  petitions  were  con- 
tinually issuing  and  ascending  from  her 
heart. 

At  length  silence  was  interrupted  by  a 
knock  at  the  door.  Dr.  Smelt  rose,  and  ob- 
served that  he  sincerely  hoped  the  doctors 
had  come ;  thought  he  would  again  feel  his 
daughter's  pulse  before  he  should  see  the 
gentlemen  ;  but  just  as  he  was  about  to  apply 
his  fingers  to  her  wrist,  he  was  arrested  by 
her  voice,  which  was  raised  in  the  softest  and 
most  melodious  notes  of  thanksgiving  and 
praise  to  God  and  to  the  Lamb,  for  the  clear, 
the  undoubted  manifestation  of  divine  love 
which  she  had  at  that  moment  received,  and 
j?  2 


06  MEMOIRS'  oF 

which  filled  her  mind  "  with  joy  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory,"  She  continued  in  audible 
devout  exercises,  addressed  to  her  God  and 
Saviour,  for  perhaps  more  than  half  an  hour. 

In  the  mean  time  two  physicians  had  en- 
tered ;  but  they,  as  well  as  her  parents,  were 
overwhelmed  with  astonishment.  Caroline 
was  too  much  absorbed  in  pious  contempla- 
tions to  notice  any  person  who  was  then 
about  her.  The  medical  gentlemen  then  ap- 
proached the  bed,  and  felt  her  pulse.  Her 
father  was  deeply  affected,  and  has  since  de- 
clared it  was  the  most  awful  moment  of  his 
life  ;  for  he  at  first  thought  her  brain  had  be- 
come affected  by  a  sudden  translation  of  the 
disease  to  that  part ;  but  in  a  short  time  he 
was  convinced  that  this  was  not  the  fact. 

When  her  mind  returned  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  objects  around  her,  the  first  per- 
son whom  Caroline  noticed  was  her  father. 
In  the  presence  of  all  in  the  room  at  that 
time,  she  told  him  what  the  Lord  had  done 
for  her  soul ;  that  he  had  baptized  her  with 
the  Holy  Ghost;  that  she  had  wrestled  in 
prayer  only  one  short  hour  for  the  blessing, 
when  she  received  it ;  whereas,  father  Jacob 
strove  one  whole  night.  Here  her  delighted 
heart  broke  forth  again  in  the  sublimest 
strains  of  gratitude  to  free  and  sovereign 
grace  for  the  ransom  of  her  soul.  It  is  a 
source  of  regret  that  no  adequate  idea  can  be 
here   communicated   cf  the    purity,  fervour, 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  07 

and  sublimity  of  this  part  of  her  exercises. 
In  short,  unless  they  had  been  penned  down 
at  the  time,  the  one  half  could  not  be  recol- 
lected. It  is  affirmed  by  all  who  were  pre- 
sent, that  they  never  heard  or  read  of  any 
thing  more  angelic. 

She  did  not  forget  poor  sinners  while  the 
smiles  of  heaven  were  upon  her   face,  and 
the  love  of  God  was  shed  abroad  in  her  heart. 
No ;  she  engaged  in  audible   prayer  for  all 
who  were  present ;    particularly  for  her  be- 
loved  father,  who  was   first  mentioned,  then 
her   absent   sister-cousin,  Cornelia   Walker, 
then  she  affectionately  remembered  her  mo- 
ther, then  her  kind  physicians,  two  of  whom 
were   present,  then   her   dear  relatives,   then 
Ihe   poor   servants   attached    to    her    father's 
household.     She   also    interceded   for  all  the 
friends  who  had  ever  loved  or  been  kind  to 
her;  as  also  for  her  enemies,  if  she  had  any 
(she  knew  of  none),  then  for  the  whole  fami- 
ly of  mankind,  but  more  especially  for  the  in- 
habitants of  her  native  city  ;  and  concluded,  be- 
ing much  exhausted,  with  a  fervent  address  for 
the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
Shortly  afterwards  she  took  a  cordial  mix- 
ture,   which    revived    her    strength    for    the 
moment,  and  was  desired  to  speak  no  more 
that  night.     She  replied,  with  a  smile,  "  That 
is  impossible  ;    for  my  tongue  is  loose,  and 
my  heart   is  full ;  and  I  must  speak  my  Re- 
deemer's praises." 


68  MEMOIRS    OF 

Her  father  and  the  other  attending  physi- 
cians, having  recovered  a  little  from  the  un- 
usual state  of  mind  excited  by  the  scene 
which  they  had  just  witnessed,  retired  to 
another  room,  in  order  to  hold  a  consultation 
on  her  case.  It  is  said  they  all  agreed  that 
they  had  never  felt  such  a  pulse  before  ;  and 
thought  that,  without  a  speedy  change,  her 
case  would  be  decided  before  morning.  It 
was  then  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  at 
night.  Her  father  declared  that,  in  the 
whole  course  of  his  practice,  he  had  never 
witnessed  so  sudden  a  change :  for  when  he 
left  his  daughter,  in  order  to  visit  the  sick 
lady,  he  considered  her  symptoms  more  fa- 
vourable than  they  had  been,  and  by  no 
means  alarming ;  indeed,  he  had  never 
thought  of  danger  until  his  return  ;  when  he 
was  alarmed  to  find  her  pulse  as  quick  as 
lightning,  with  a  dry  and  very  hot  skin.  He 
was  sensibly  shocked  ;  insomuch  that  from 
that  night  his  mind  became  so  much  dis- 
turbed as  to  unfit  him  for  the  exercise  of  his 
judgment  in  her  case.  Within  two  days 
afterwards  he  was  laid  on  a  sick  bed,  from 
which  he  did  not  rise,  except  to  make  short 
visits  to  his  beloved  daughter,  for  several 
weeks. 

While  the  physicians  had  withdrawn  to 
another  apartment  for  consultation,  Mrs.  Smelt 
remained  with  her  daughter,  accompanied 
only  by  a  kind   female  friend,  and  two   or 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  09 

three  faithful  servants.  Caroline  then  de- 
sired to  embrace  her  mother,  and  said,  "  O 
my  blessed  mother !  how  true  was  that  pro- 
mise, The  Lord  will  render  double  unto 
thee.  How  much  you  feel  endeared  to  me  ! 
I  have  long  since  thought  that  no  daughter 
ever  loved  a  mother  more  than  I  loved  you  ; 
but  that  was  a  seljish  love.  I  now  love  you 
because  Jesus  loves  you."  Then,  in  a  kind 
of  ecstasy,  she  exclaimed,  "  Yes  !  Jesus  loves 
my  blessed  mother,  and  will  comfort  her; 
for  oli  !  he  loves  me,  and  will  enable  her  to 
give  me  up."  She  then  addressed  the  ser- 
vants in  the  most  affectionate  manner,  a 
description  or  record  of  which  cannot  be 
attempted  here. 

The  physicians  returned  to  the  sick  bed, 
intending  to  commence  a  change  in  the  treat- 
ment of  her  case.  To  their  great  surprise 
they  found  a  most  astonishing  alteration  in 
her  pulse  :  it  had  become  regular,  and  less 
frequent,  with  a  fine  soft  skin.  This  change 
had  been  more  sudden  than  the  former,  and 
they  were  animated  with  fresh  hopes.  They 
resolved  not  to  leave  her  that  night,  but  to 
watch  every  turn  or  change  which  might  en- 
sue in  her  disease.  They  did  so  ;  and  never 
did  friends  display  more  tender  solicitude 
than  they  all  did,  not  only  through  this  night, 
but  throughout  the  whole  period  of  her  ill- 
ness. She  was  never  left,  day  or  night, 
without  the  attendance  of  one,  two,  or  more 


70  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  her  medical  friends.  They  remained  with 
her,  and  evinced  the  affectionate  concern  of 
near  relations  :  for  which  they  had  in  return 
the  prayers  of  their  pious  patient,  and  will 
ever  be  entitled  to  the  gratitude  and  warmest 
affection  of  her  bereaved  parents.  But  to  re- 
turn to  her  case. 

She  was  perfectly  calm,  but  so  disposed 
for  exhortation,  that  her  medical  friends 
were  compelled  to  tell  her  that  she  would  do 
herself  a  material  injury  if  she  did  not  invite 
sleep.  She  reasoned  the  matter  with  them, 
and  told  them  that  in  all  things  she  would  be 
submissive  to  their  judgment,  except  in  that 
one  particular ;  observing  that  she  had  but 
little  time  in  which  to  work  ;  and  that  she 
must  try  to  advance  the  Redeemer's  cause 
while  she  was  blessed  with  the  powers  of 
speech.  She  exhorted  them  individually, 
and  then  prayed  for  them  collectively.  They 
were  sensibly  affected,  and  wept  freely.  She 
continued  to  speak  words  of  comfort  to  all 
around  her,  particularly  to  her  father  and 
mother,  until  it  was  near  morning  ;  when  she 
fell  into  a  sweet  sleep  for  about  two  hours. 
She  awoke  much  refreshed,  but  with  consi- 
derable fever.  It  was  the  third  day  of  Sep- 
tember, and  the  sixth  of  her  illness.  It  was 
thought  an  important  crisis,  and  that  she 
must  be  kept  very  quiet  during  that  day  ;  but 
she  entreated  that  some  of  her  friends  might 
be  allowed  to  visit  her.     Indeed  she  desired 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  71 

to  send  for  several,  with  whom  she  said  she 
must  converse  :  she  was  accordingly  indulged 
in  this  desire. 

Through  that  and  five  succeeding  days  she 
was  almost  exclusively  engaged  in  prayer  and 
praises  to  God,  and  admonitions  to  the  many 
friends  who  called  to  see  her. 

As  yet  she  had  given  no  particular  descrip- 
tion of  the  manifestation  which  she  had  re- 
ceived ;  but  it  was  evident  to  all  her  pious 
friends  who  saw  her,  that  the  Lord  was  with 
her;  and  this  greatly  comforted  them. 

It  was  remarked  by  all  who  visited  her, 
that  they  never  saw  a  countenance  expres- 
sive of  so  much  heavenly  serenity,  and  such 
celestial  beauty  as  appeared  in  hers  during 
this  and  the  succeeding  part  of  her  sickness. 
Her  face  frequently  reminded  some  of  her 
pious  friends  of  what  was  said  of  the  patri- 
arch Moses,  when  he  came  down  from  con- 
verse with  his  Maker  on  the  mount ;  for  it 
indeed  appeared  to  shine  with  sacred  radi- 
ance, which  suffered  no  change  throughout 
her  whole  confinement. 

On  Monday  night,  the  8th  of  September, 
her  fever  was  very  high,  and  her  sufferings 
very  great,  she  being  extensively  blistered; 
but  still  not  a  complaint  escaped  her  lips. 
Several  dear  friends  sat  up  with  her  that 
night.  A  little  before  midnight  she  became 
silent,  and  it  was  hoped  that  she  had  fallen 
asleep.     She  lay  very  quiet  for  some   time, 


72  MEMOIRS    OF 

perhaps  an  hour :  she  then  spoke,  and  asked 
for  her  mother.  Mrs.  Smelt  was  sitting  by 
her;  but  the  room  had  been  somewhat  dark- 
ened to  favour  sleep,  and  she  did  not  at  first 
distinguish  her  from  her  other  friends. 

She  then  said,  "  My  beloved  mother,  I 
have  been  praying  that  your  faith  may  be 
strengthened,  and  that  the  Lord  would  com- 
fort you  and  my  dear  father."  Her  mother 
then  embraced  her,  and  desired  her  to  try,  if 
possible,  to  get  a  little  sleep.  To  this  request 
Caroline  readily  yielded  obedience,  and  lay 
for  a  considerable  time  as  if  asleep.  She 
then  spoke  audibly,  and  said,  "  Shadrach, 
Meshach,  and  Abednego  passed  through  the 
fiery  furnace,  and  not  a  half  of  their  heads 
was  singed ;  for  they  loved  God,  and  he  was 
with  them.  I  love  him  also,  and  he  is  with 
me.  Oh !  my  mother,  the  fever  is  high ; 
but  the  Lord  will  sustain  me,  and  will  bring 
me  through  like  gold  tried  and  purified.  He 
has  been  very  gracious  to  me  to-night.  I 
calculated  on  a  very  painful  one,  but  I  said  no- 
thing; knowing  that  my  heavenly  Father 
would  not  inflict  one  unnecessary  pain,  but 
would  order  all  things  well.  Notwithstand- 
ing my  faith  was  strong,  I  felt  my  feeble  na- 
ture shrink  from  the  idea  of  fresh  blisters  to 
my  body,  and  cataplasms  to  my  feet.  And 
when  my  medical  friends  suggested  the  ne- 
cessity of  their  immediate  application,  I  made 
no  resistance  ;    for  I  had   resolved,  when  I 


CAROLINE    L\    SMELT.  73 

was  first  taken  .sick,  to  be  a  submissive  pa- 
tient, if  the  Lord  would  strengthen  me  to 
improve  the  visitation  to  his  honour.  I  knew 
that  my  dear  father  and  mother  would  be  much 
distressed  ;  that  they  would  feel  anxious  that 
every  effort  should  be  made  for  my  relief. 
How  unkind — how  undutiful  then  would  it 
appear  in  me  to  disappoint  their  wishes,  and 
increase  their  anxiety,  by  refusing  to  use 
the  appointed  means.  But  when  I  heard  the 
plan  for  the  night,  my  heart  sunk  within  me. 
In  a  few  moments  I  was  enabled  to  raise  my 
soul  in  prayer  to  my  heavenly  Father.  I  pe- 
titioned for  grace,  divine  grace,  to  sustain 
me.  I  immediately  had  such  a  view  of  my 
Redeemer's  sufferings,  that  I  felt  willing — 
yea  happy,  to  submit  to  any  pain.  When 
the  blisters  began  to  draw,  I  felt  the  anguish 
most  sensibly :  I  raised  my  heart  again  in 
prayer,  and  in  a  very  short  time  was  enabled 
to  say,  with  great  sincerity,  «  Not  my  will, 
O  heavenly  Parent,  but  thine  be  done.'  I 
soon  felt  not  only  comfortable,  but  such  a 
sweet  composure  of  mind— -so  heavenly,  so 
entirely  peaceful,  that  I  fell  into  a  delightful 
sleep.  When  I  awoke,  I  found  those  pre- 
cious lines  of  Dr.  Watts  present  to  my  me- 
mory :— 

"  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are ; 
While  on  his  breast  I  lean  my  head, 
And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there." 
G 


74  memoirs  or 

She  continued,  "O  my  mother  !  I  have 
had  many  comforts  to-night  that  I  did  not 
expect.  Among  other  blessings  I  have  been 
favoured  with  a  delightful  vision."  She 
then  invited  the  friends  who  were  in  her 
room  to  draw  near  the  bed,  that  they  might 
all  hear,  for  her  voice  was  feeble. 

"  In  the  first  place,  (said  she,)  I  was  much 
engaged,  in  the  early  part  of  the  night,  in 
prayer  that  my  faith  might  not  fail.  I  had 
not  then  been  asleep.  All  at  once  I  was  car- 
ried, in  imagination,  to  the  sea-side.  On  a 
beautiful  eminence,  at  some  little  distance,  I 
saw  a  most  magnificent  house  :  it  had  many 
large  windows  most  brilliantly  illuminated, 
and  the  light  emanating  from  them  was  dif- 
ferent from  any  I  ever  saw — it  was  a  glori- 
ous light.  I  stood  and  viewed  it  with  in- 
expressible pleasure.  I  wished  to  know 
who  was  the  owner  of  the  house ;  and,  in  a 
moment,  I  was  told  that  it  was  mine.  This 
amazed  me,  for  I  saw  no  person ;  but  I  was 
not  alarmed,  for  I  felt  as  if  the  Shepherd  of 
Israel  was  not  far  oft'.  In  a  short  time  a  very 
dark  cloud  arose,  and  I  apprehended  a  storm. 
It  soon  burst  with  great  violence  upon  my 
house.  The  tempest  increased.  I  said, 
4  Those  beautiful  windows  will  be  broken, 
even  if  the  foundation  stand.'  At  length  I 
became  concerned  for  the  whole  establish- 
ment. I  prayed  that  my  house  might  not  be 
destroyed.     I  soon  felt  comforted  to  find  that 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  75 

it  sustained  to  injury ;  and  the  darker  the 
tempest,  the  brighter  the  light  became.  The 
storm  subsided,  and  my  house  appeared  to 
be  adorned  with  new  beauties.  I  thought  it 
was  a  vision,  and  asked  for  an  explanation  : 
the  answer  was,  '  The  house  is  an  emblem 
of  your  faith  in  Christ,  which  shall  never 
be  shaken,  and  which  shall  carry  you  trium- 
phantly through  all  your  sufferings.  Satan, 
the  world,  nor  the  flesh  shall  ever  be  able  to 
injure  your  house;  for  it  is  founded  on  the 
Rock  of  ages." 

The  next  morning  she  spoke  much  of 
death,  and  longed  for  its  approach.  She  ad- 
monished many  of  her  young  friends,  and 
entreated  them  to  seek  an  interest  in  Christ, 
in  preference  to  all  other  attainments.  Be- 
lieving her  departure  to  be  very  near,  she 
took  a  solemn  leave  of  many  who  visited  her 
on  that  day.  AVith  a  countenance  beaming 
with  divine  love,  and  a  voice  most  harmonious, 
she  said  to  her  mother,  "  O  my  beloved  mo- 
ther !  weep  not  for  me.  My  sufferings  will 
soon  terminate.  Blessed  be  God  !  who  hath 
not  turned  away  my  prayer,  nor  his  mercy 
from  me.  Through  the  blood  of  the  cross, 
death  is  disarmed  of  all  his  terrors ;  the 
grave,  to  which  I  am  hastening,  is  deprived 
of  all  victory.  Oh  the  boundless  goodness 
of  God  !  thus  to  support  a  frail  worm  of  the 
dust;  for  what  is  man,  that  he  should  be 
mindful  of  him  ?  or  the  son  of  man,  that  he 


76  MEMOIRS    OF 

.should  visit  him  ?  I  am  going — yes,  I  am 
going  to  that  happy  land  so  finely  described 
by  Dr.  Watts  ;"  repeating  the  following  lines 
with  great  emphasis  : — 

"There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight, 
Where  saints  immortal  reign  ; 
Infinite  day  excludes  the  night, 
And  pleasures  banish  pain. 

"  There  everlasting  spring  abides, 
And  never-with'ring  flowers ; 
Death,  like  a  narrow  sea,  dividt  9 
This  heavenly  land  from  ours. 

"Sweet  fields  beyond  the  swelling  llood 
Stand  dress'd  in  living  green  ; 
So  to  the  Jews  old  Canaan  stood, 
While  Jordan  roll'd  between." 

She  did  not  finish  the  hymn,  but  addressed 
some  young  friends  who  had  just  entered  the 
room  :  "  You  see  before  you,  (said  she,)  a 
young,  timid,  delicate  female,  not  yet  seven- 
teen years  old  ;  the  only  child  of  my  beloved 
parents,  surrounded  with  all  the  comforts  of 
life,  nurtured  with  peculiar  tenderness,  in 
the  bosom  of  parental  affection,  from  my  ear- 
liest infancy,  and  always  sheltered  from  the 
rude  blasts  of  misfortune;  blessed  with  the 
friendship  of  an  extensive  acquaintance,  and 
beloved  by  all  my  dear  relations.  I  could 
add  many  other  considerations  calculated  to 
attach  me  to  this  world  ;  b«t  I  can  say,  with 
holy  joy,  farewell  to  all !     Yea,  1  desire  to  de- 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  77 

part  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better 
I  am  going  to  my  Redeemer's  kingdom:  his 
arms  are  open  to  receive  me.  O !  the  incal- 
culable benefits  resulting  from  the  religion  of 
Jesus,  the  once  crucified,  but  now  gloriously 
exalted  Son  of  God.  What  but  this,  my 
friends,  could  sustain  me  in  this  trying  hour  ? 
My  sensibility  is  not  blunted ;  my  heart  was 
formed  for  sympathy  and  the  sweets  of 
friendship.  I  am  sensible  of  the  sorrow 
which  my  departure  will  occasion  in  the 
breasts  of  those  whom  I  tenderly  love  ;  but  I 
commit  them  to  the  care  of  One  who  is  able 
to  console  them  ;  and  who  will,  I  trust,  pre- 
pare them  to  join  me  in  the  regions  of  eter- 
nal glory,  where  we  shall  part  no  more.  O  ! 
my  dear  young  friends,  allow  me  to  entreat 
you  to  embrace  this  religion.  To  a  bed  of 
death  you  will  all  have  to  come  ;  and  at  the 
bar  of  judgment  you  will  have  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  all  the  deeds  done  by  you  in  this 
world  ;  and  if  the  Saviour  is  not  then  your 
friend,  I  tremble  to  think  of  your  fate.  O  ! 
close  with  the  offers  of  mercy.  Now  is  the 
accepted  time  ;  to-day  is  the  day  of  salvation. 
When  I  am  gone,  will  you  ever  think  of  me  ? 
will  you  strive  to  remember  the  displays  of 
God's  mercy  to  me  ?  and  will  you  endeavour 
to  obtain  his  favour  also  ;  that  you  may  finish 
your  course,  as  I  hope  to  finish  mine,  rejoic- 
ing in  redeeming  love,  comforted  and  sustain- 
ed against  every  fear?  I  feel  peace  in  my 
c  2 


78  MEMOIRS  or 

heart,    and    joy     unspeakable,    and    full    of 
glory." 

After  being  some  time  silent,  she  said  to 
Mrs.  Smelt,  "  My  mother,  let  me  see  you 
put  on  the  Christian's  beautiful  robe — holy 
submission.  You  will  not  be  left  alone  ;  for 
the  Lord  is  your  friend,  and  he  can  be  more 
to  you  than  ten  sons  and  daughters.  Your 
case  is  by  no  means  a  new  one.  Recollect 
the  trials  of  your  namesake,  the  mother  of 
our  blessed  Redeemer.  She  was  called  upon 
to  give  up  her  only  child — she  did  so.  He 
died  a  most  cruel  and  ignominious  death. 
He  had  none  of  the  temporal  comforts  which 
I  enjoy — no  friends  to  soothe  his  sorrows — 
no  bed  on  which  to  rest  his  weary  limbs — 
no  kind  attendants  to  administer  a  cooling 
draught  to  quench  a  parching  thirst — no — He 
had  to  drink  vinegar  and  gall.  His  blessed 
mother  was  not  allowed  to  sit  by  him,  as  you 
sit  by  me,  and  receive  divine  comfort  from 
his  sacred  lips.  O,  my  dear  mother!  think 
of  these  things,  and  believe  yourself  blessed. 
Let  your  faith  rise,  in  lively  exercise,  to  the 
sufferings  of  the  Son  of  God.  View  him  in 
the  garden  ;  go  with  him  to  Pilate.  See  his 
patient  meekness  !  like  a  lamb  dumb  before 
his  shearers,  so  he  opened  not  his  mouth. 
He  suffered  the  just  for  the  unjust,  and  by 
his  stripes  I  am  healed.  He  died  that  we 
might  live.  He  bore  our  sins  in  his  own 
body.     He   was   God   over   all,   blessed    for 


CAROLINE  L.  .SMELT.  l9 

ever  ;  and  yet  he  submitted  to  the  death  of 
the  cross,  that  a  perishing  world  might  be 
saved.  When  I  take  a  view  of  his  compas- 
sionate mercy  to  rebellious  sinners,  I  am  lost 
in  wonder.  When  I  see  his  sacred  temples 
perforated,  and  encircled  with  a  crown  of 
thorns,  I  am  ready  to  cry  out,  •  And  did  my 
Saviour  suffer  thus  ?  for  whom  and  for  what 
was  he  thus  afflicted  and  scourged  V  In  -a 
moment  I  answer,  '  For  me — poor  unworthy 
me  V  and  not  only  for  sinful  me,  but  for  you, 
my  mother,  and  for  as  many  as  will  believe 
in  his  all-sufficient  atonement.  When,  with 
the  eye  of  faith,  I  see  my  immaculate  Saviour 
extended  on  the  cross,  my  heart  dissolves 
with  tenderness  and  gratitude.  I  feel  humble 
and  submissive — ready  and  willing  to  surfer 
any  thing ;  yea,  feel  happy  in  being  thought 
worthy  to  suffer ;  for  you  know,  whom  the 
Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth." 

The  physicians  entered  her  room ;  after 
which,  with  a  sweet  smile  on  her  countenance, 
she  said  to  them,  "  My  kind  friends  and  bro- 
thers, you  have  striven  hard  to  raise  this  frail 
tenement,  but  it  will  all  be  in  vain.  You  have 
done  much  for  me.  I  have  not  been  un- 
mindful of  the  deep  interest  and  tender  solici- 
tude which  you  have  discovered  in  my  case. 
I  have  sensibly  felt  for  the  fatigue  and  loss 
of  rest  to  which  you  have  so  willingly  sub- 
mitted during  my  protracted  illness ;  but  I 
think  it  will  soon  draw  to  a  close.     In  return 


80  MEMOIRS  OF 

for  so  much  kindness,  allow  me  to  bid  an  af- 
fectionate farewell  to  you  all,  but  not  before 
I  strive  to  impress  a  few  important  truths  on 
your  minds."  Then  raising  her  eyes,  she 
said,  "  May  the  God  of  mercy  write  them 
upon  your  hearts  !" 

She  then  said  much  to  them  concerning 
the  truth  of  the  Scriptures  ;  the  necessity  of 
being  prepared  for  death,  &c. ;  and  obtained  a 
promise  from  them  all  that  they  would  not 
forget  what  she  said,  and  would  comply  with 
the  requests  which  she  had  made.  She  then 
bade  them  farewell,  and  said,  "  I  hope  to  see 
you  again  ;  yes,  I  hope  to  see  you  in  my  Re- 
deemer's kingdom." 

Her  mother  having  retired  for  a  few  mi- 
nutes, in  order  to  conceal  the  emotions  of  her 
grief,  which  she  felt  unable  to  control,  now 
returned  and  found  all  in  the  room  in  tears, 
except  her  daughter.  AVith  a  celestial  mild- 
ness in  her  countenance,  she  then  addressed 
her  mother  thus :  *«  Now,  my  mother,  the 
conflict  will  soon  be  over.  I  wish  you  to 
put  on  the  whole  Christian,  and  carry  my 
most  affectionate  regard  to  my  beloved  father. 
Tell  him,  farewell !  Tell  him  I  loved  him  in 
life,  and  loved  him  in  the  hour  of  death. 
Request  him,  from  me,  to  pray  frequently 
and  fervently  for  regenerating  grace.  Tell 
him  that  I  commit  him,  soul  and  body,  to  the 
Lord  Jesus.  Let  it  comfort  him  to  know  that 
I  have  unclouded  prospects  of  an  immediate 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  81 

entrance  into  my  heavenly  Father's  king- 
dom." Her  mother  then  rose,  went  to  Dr. 
Smelt,  who  was  sick  in  another  room,  and 
delivered  the  message  of  Caroline  to  her  fa- 
ther ;  who  in  return  sent  to  her,  by  Mrs. 
Smelt,  a  similar  expression  of  his  warm  af- 
fection, accompanied  by  a  fervent  prayer  that 
her  life  might  be  continued  many  years. 
On  receiving  this  information,  Caroline  said, 
"  1  am  sorry  that  my  dear  parents  do  not  feel 
moTe  resigned  to  the  will  of  God ;  but  he 
will  comfort  them  in  his  own  time,  and  in 
his  own  way." 

After  pausing  for  some  minutes,  as  if  to 
gather  strength  to  speak,  she  called  her  mo- 
ther to  her,  and  said,  "  My  blessed  mother  ! 
1  have  been  praying  that  your  faith  may  be 
strengthened,  and  that  the  Lord  may  be  your 
friend  in  life  and  in  death.  I  now  wish  you 
to  take  a  pleasant  view  of  your  daughter — 
bid  her  farewell ;  and,  if  you  cannot  with 
composure  witness  her  departure,  retire  to 
another  room.  The  conflict  will  soon  be 
over,  and  the  Lord  will  not  forsake  you." 
Her  mother's  heart  was  deeply  penetrated 
with  that  voice  which  she  thought  she  was 
now  hearing  for  the  last  time.  She  regarded 
her  daughter  with  affectionate  admiration,  and 
lingered  in  suspense,  hesitating  whether  to 
remain  or  retire.  Although  she  spoke  not  a 
word,  yet  Caroline  seemed  to  conceive  cor- 
rectly what  her  feelimTs  were,  and  continued 


82  MEMOIRS    OF 

her  address  in  these  words,  "  Yes,  my  pre- 
cious mother,  the  Lord  will  enable  you.  Only 
east  yourself  upon  him — look  to  him  for 
strength,  and  plead  with  him  for  faith.  Di- 
vine faith  can  enable  us  to  perform  every 
duty — to  overcome  mountainous  difficulties. 
Faith  in  the  Son  of  God  enables  me  to  part 
with  you,  my  mother,  without  feeling  one 
pang  on  my  own  account."  She  then  made 
an  effort  to  extend  her  arms  to  embrace  her 
mother,  who  folded  her  to  her  bosom  and 
said,  "Farewell,  my  beloved  daughter!" 
Caroline  then  exclaimed,  "  I  feel  clothed  with 
the  whole  armour  of  God.  Farewell,  my 
blessed  mother !  the  Lord  will  be  your  com- 
forter." 

As  Mrs.  Smelt  rose  from  the  bed,  her 
daughter  said  to  her,  "  Now,  my  mother, 
give  me  a  gracious  smile."  This  request 
being  complied  with,  she  observed,  "  O  that 
gracious  smile !  how  often  has  it  gladdened 
my  youthful  heart,  and  how  it  rejoices  me  at 
this  moment!  But  we  must  now  part;  my 
Redeemer  will  soon  come  for  me."  They 
embraced  again,  and  her  mother  retired.  She 
entered  her  husband's  sick  room  to  prepare 
him  for  what  she  thought  would  shortly  fol- 
low. She  bowed  at  his  bedside,  and  en- 
gaged in  prayer.  The  feelings  of  parental 
grief  soon  became  too  strong  in  both  to  allow 
them  to  afford  much  consolation  to  each 
other. 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  83 

As  soon  as  her  mother  had  retired,  Caro- 
line requested  the  physicians  to  take  seats, 
and  then  desired  them  not  to  attempt  to  give 
her  drink,  or  any  thing  else,  from  that  time — 
no,  not  so  much  as  to  moisten  her  lips,  as  it 
would  disturb  her.  She  then  desired  her 
other  friends  who  were  present  to  take  seats 
also  ;  having  previously  taken  a  most  affec- 
tionate leave  of  them  all.  She  was  so  much 
exhausted  that  her  voice  failed.  All  the 
friends  were  much  affected,  supposing  her 
end  was  near  at  hand.  She  immediately  ex- 
tended herself  in  the  bed — opened  her  arms, 
and  said,  "  Now  let  perfect  silence  be  ob- 
served." She  closed  her  eyes,  and  continued 
in  the  same  position  for  one  hour  and  a  quar- 
ter ;  evincing  no  symptom  of  life,  except  a 
gentle  and  feeble  respiration,  with  a  counte- 
nance beautifully  serene. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  time  stated,  she 
gasped,  attended  with  a  slight  agitation  of  the 
nerves,  which  induced  the  friends  to  suppose 
that  a  convulsion  was  coming  on.  The  phy- 
sicians having  calculated,  by  their  watches, 
the  time  which  she  had  lain  without  taking 
refreshment  of  any  kind,  and  presuming  her 
to  be  insensible,  concluded  at  least  to  moisten 
her  lips,  though  it  was  contrary  to  her  direc- 
tions. They  did  so ;  which  produced  an- 
other general  agitation  of  the  nerves. 

A  kind  female  friend  who  was  present,  and 
felt  much  interested  for  the  suffering  patient, 


84  MEMOIRS    or 

approached  the  bed,  and  offered  up  a  petition 
to  heaven  that  she  might  be  favoured  with  an 
easy  death.  This  was  done  audibly.  At 
that  moment  Caroline  raised  her  voice,  and 
exclaimed,  "Glory!  glory!  glory!"  Her 
efforts  to  be  heard  were  so  strong,  and  her 
bodily  strength  so  feeble,  that  her  friend  said, 
"  O  my  dear  child  !  you  will  exhaust  your- 
self;" and  then  exclaimed,  "O  blessed  Sa- 
viour !  grant  this  lamb  an  easy  passport  into 
thy  kingdom."  Caroline  immediately  re- 
plied, "  My  dear  aunt,  don't  say  so  ;  for  the 
greater  the  struggle  the  brighter  the  crown  ;" 
and  then  again  exclaimed,  "  Glory  !  glory  ! 
I  want  all  the  world  to  hear  me  sound  my 
Redeemer's  praises."  After  a  few  minutes 
her  friends  desired  that  she  should  take  some 
refreshment.  She  said,  "  Yes,  I  will  take  it 
now,  for  my  Saviour  will  not  take  me  as 
soon  as  I  hoped  he  would.  I  have  been  too 
impatient  to  depart ;  but  I  now  feel  submis- 
sive to  his  will,  for  his  banner  over  me  is 
love."  She  then  took  some  nourishment, 
and  asked  for  her  mother. 

When  Mrs.  Smelt  entered,  Caroline  said, 
"  0  my  mother !  embrace  me.  We  have 
again  met.  You  no  doubt  feel  thankful  ;  but 
I  have  been  disappointed.  When  I  recover 
a  little  more  strength,  I  will  tell  you  where  I 
have  been."  The  physicians  requested  that 
she  might  be  kept  perfectly  quiet,  and  no 
conversation   be    allowed.       They    said   her 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  85 

pulse  was  good,  and  her  lever  on  the  decline; 
that  she  must  go  to  sleep.  After  this  she 
rested  quietly  for  some  time  ;  but  it  was  not 
thought  that  she  slept.  She  appeared  to  be 
engaged  in  devotion  and  silent  prayer. 

After  she  was  somewhat  refreshed,  and 
became  more  able  to  speak,  she  proceeded, 
in  the  presence  of  several  persons,  to  give 
her  mother  a  statement  of  what  had  passed 
after  they  had  mutually  taken  leave  of  each 
other,  as  related  above.  She  said  she  had 
for  several  days  been  very  anxious  to  depart, 
and  be  with  Christ— not  that  she  felt  impa- 
tient under  her  sufferings-— no—- she  would 
not  have  desired  one  pain  less  ;  but  she  want- 
ed to  enjoy  the  bliss  of  heaven,  and  to  see 
her  Redeemer  all-glorious  as  he  is.  "  For 
if  my  soul  (said  she)  was  so  enraptured  with 
the  communications  of  his  love  while  on  a 
sick  bed,  what  would  it  be  when  completely 
transformed  into  his  glorious  image  ?  This 
day  I  have  been  signally  blessed  with  divine 
views ;  and,  from  my  general  feelings,  I 
thought  nature  was  dissolving.  I  was  en- 
abled to  smile  upon  death.  I  brought  my 
coffin  to  my  view,  and  said,  '  O !  that  this 
feeble  clay-body  were  but  quietly  deposited 
within  your  narrow  limits.'  I  thought  of 
my  burial  clothes — I  could  not  decide  on 
what  I  should  like  to  be  dressed  in — I  consi- 
dered that  I  had  nothing  sufficiently  plain. 
But  I  soon  dismissed  these  unimportant  re- 
H 


86  MEMOIRS    OF 

flections,  and  felt  nothing  but  an  increasing 
anxiety  to  depart.  My  feelings  bordered  on 
impatience.  This  was  sinful ;  for  I  should 
have  held  every  wish  in  sweet  subjection  to 
the  divine  will.  But  to  continue :  When  I 
parted  with  you,  I  fully  believed  that  my  gra- 
cious Redeemer  would  call  me  in  a  few  mo- 
ments. I  placed  myself  in  a  ready  position. 
At  that  instant  I  entered  a  dark  labyrinth — it 
was  dark  as  midnight ;  but  I  felt  no  fear. 
I  thought  it  was  the  dark  valley  of  death,  and 
that  my  Saviour  would  soon  meet  me — He 
did  not  come.  I  waited  a  considerable  time 
— I  became  impatient — I  said,  I  shall  be  dis- 
appointed at  last.  I  began  to  be  alarmed — I 
prayed — my  faith  strengthened  :  I  felt  com- 
posed and  comforted.  At  length  I  said, 
1  Will  not  my  Saviour  come  V  The  answer 
was,  '  No,  you  will  have  to  return,  and  wait 
God's  time.'  Dismay  seized  me.  I  repeat- 
ed, 'Must  I  indeed  go  back  to  the  world?' 
All  at  once  I  was  filled  with  peace  :  I  opened 
my  eyes,  and  found  I  was  just  where  I  had 
started  from.  I  prayed  for  the  grace  of  God 
to  support  me  under  this  disappointment. 
I  heard  what  my  dear  aunt  said,  and  immedi- 
ately, by  a  power  not  my  own,  was  obliged 
to  cry  out  Glory  ! — O,  my  mother !  I  see  it 
was  intended  as  a  trial  of  my  faith.  I  see  I 
required  more  submission  to  the  will  of  my 
heavenly  Father.  It  was  a  great  struggle, 
but  faith  has  come  off  victorious.     I  am  now 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  87 

perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  heaven.  I 
have  not  a  single  wish  of  my  own.  I  am 
now  willing  to  live,  or  ready  to  die,  which- 
ever God  pleases.  He  knows  what  is  best 
for  me,  and  *  has  caused  the  enemy  to  entreat 
me  well  in  time  of  evil,  and  in  the  time  of 
affliction.''  I  feel  the  love  of  God  in  my 
heart,  and  know  that  I  am  his." 

She  then  inquired  after  her  father ;  and 
requested  her  mother  to  go  and  tell  him  she 
felt  so  much  revived,  that  she  thought  it  pro- 
bable she  should  remain  some  time  longer 
with  them.  That  night  she  rested  well, 
and  the  next  morning  was  evidently  better. 

September  9th.  This  day  she  was  sensible 
of  a  great  change,  which  favoured  the  hope  of 
her  recovery  ;  but  she  said  she  felt  no  anxiety 
except  to  promote  her  Redeemer's  cause ; 
and  to  the  utmost  of  her  power  were  her  ef- 
forts continually  directed  to  this  end.  She 
exhorted  and  admonished  every  one  who  en- 
tered her  room,  of  whatever  age,  rank,  condi- 
tion, or  colour.  To  detail  the  whole  of  her 
pious  exercises  would  require  a  volume ;  and 
it  is  deeply  regretted  that  much  has  escaped 
the  memory  of  her  best  friends.  This  is  not 
wonderful,  when  it  is  considered  that  bodily 
indisposition  and  sorrow  of  heart  confined 
her  parents  to  sick  beds  for  days  together. 

She  was  often  visited  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  D. 
and  other  professors  of  religion  of  distinguish- 
ed reputation  for  piety.     It  is  worthy  of  re- 


88  MEMOIRS    OF 

mark,  that  instead  of  administering  instruc- 
tion or  comfort  to  her,  they  became  delighted 
listeners,  mute  with  astonishment ;  and  ex- 
cept in  the  article  of  praying  with  her,  they 
seldom  said  more  than  merely  to  make  a  few 
inquiries  respecting  her  health.  One  of  them 
observed  that  he  came  to  receive  instruction — 
to  be  taught  of  her ;  for  she  was  a  preacher 
of  righteousness.  "  She  strives,  (said  he,) 
with  all  the  powers  of  an  almost  inspired 
eloquence,  to  induce  every  one  around  her  to 
embrace  that  Saviour,  whose  arms  are  ready 
to  embrace  every  fallen  child  of  Adam  that 
will  turn  to  him,  and  rely  on  his  ability  and 
willingness  to  save."  She  expressed  great 
satisfaction  whenever  they  called.  She  fre- 
quently sent  for  Mr.  A.  M.  from  uniting  witli 
whom  in  prayer  she  derived  peculiar  de- 
light. She  called  him  her  dear  brother  in  the 
Lord. 

One  day,  after  being  visited  by  some  pious 
persons,  she  observed  to  her  mother,  that  it 
afforded  her  great  pleasure  to  converse  with 
the  children  of  God  ;  "  For  to  them  (said 
she)  I  speak  in  a  known  tongue.  They 
know  the  import  of  every  word,  having  been 
taught  in  the  same  school.  O  mother!  I 
now  understand  that  passage  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures  which  tells  us,  the  wisdom  of  man 
is  foolishness  with  God.  It  is  indeed  fool- 
ishness—perfect folly.  All  that  I  ever  knew 
is  but  as  a  drop  to  the  ocean  in  comparison 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT,  89 

with  what  I  now  feel  and  know.  The  Holy 
Comforter  is  indeed  a  divine  teacher.  Oh  ! 
that  all  the  world  would  seek  after  true  wis- 
dom, for  her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness, 
and  all  her  paths  are  peace." 

September  10th.  She  was  still  better,  her 
fever  light,  and  all  her  symptoms  favourable. 
On  this  day  she  conversed  freely  and  fre- 
quently with  her  mother,  and  referred,  with 
great  pleasure,  to  her  acquaintance  with  the 
Rev.  Mr.  J.  She  said  that  she  had  often 
felt  very  solemn  under  the  preaching  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Thompson  ;  but  these  impressions 
would  soon  pass  away ;  they  were  like  the 
early  cloud  and  morning  dew.  But  under 
Mr.  J.'s  preaching,  she  had  been  made  to 
see  and  to  feel  the  necessity  of  having  an  in- 
terest in  Jesus.  Oh  mother !  if  you  live  to 
see  that  man  of  God,  tell  him  what  the  Lord 
has  done  for  my  soul.  Tell  him  he  was  one 
of  the  happy  instruments  employed  by  my 
heavenly  Father  to  bring  me  to  Christ.  Tell 
him  all ;  it  will  fill  his  heart  with  joy  and 
gladness."  Mrs.  Smelt  then  observed  to  her 
daughter,  that  she  hoped  she  would  live  to 
tell  him  herself.  Caroline  replied,  "My 
mother,  you  must  not  wish  or  hope  ;  leave 
the  event  to  God,  who  doeth  all  things  well. 
When  I  reflect  (said  she)  on  my  deportment 
towards  Mr.  J.  I  think  how  great  must  his 
discouragements  have  been.  I  wonder  that 
he  did  not  give  me  up ;  but  he  did  not. 
h2 


90  MEMOIRS  or 

How  often  has  he  said,  ■  Come  out  from  the 
ivorld,  Miss  Caroline,  0  come  out  J1  and  on 
one  occasion  he  observed,  '  If  you  will  come 
out  from  the  world,  I  feel  as  if  a  host  would 
follow.''     Nothing  but  his  engagedness  in  his 
Master's  work  could  have  made  him  so  anx- 
ious   tor    my   eternal   welfare,       Oh !    if   I 
could  now  see  him,  I  would  speak   to  him 
without  reserve.      1  should  be  delighted  to 
receive  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper 
from  his  hands ;  and  I  am  resolved,  if  I  am 
raised  from  this  bed,  the  first  place  I  shall  go 
to  will  be  the  church.     I  will  there  present 
myself  in  the  presence  of  the  congregation, 
and  make  a  public  profession  of  my  faith  in 
Christ.     Oh   how  I  lament  that  I    have   so 
often  neglected  opportunities   of  doing   this 
when  I  was  in  health  !     Now  I   should  de- 
light to  take  my  mother  by  the  hand,  and,  in 
the   presence   of  seven   millions   of  people, 
take  a  seat  with  her  at  the  table  of  the  Lord." 
When  she  desired  an  interest  in  the  pray- 
ers of  the   church,  she   addressed  the  Rev. 
Mr.  D.  thus  :  "  Mr.  D.  I  desire  an  interest 
in  the  prayers  of  your  congregation  to-mor- 
row.    Will  you  oblige    me,   sir,  by  stating 
that  Caroline  Elizabeth,  only  daughter,  only 
child  of  Dr.  Smelt,  requests  an  interest  in  the 
prayers  of  God's  people?     She  desires  not 
that  they  may  pray  for   her  life  ;  but  that 
God  may  graciously  please   to  continue  his 
divine  love  to  her — that  she  may  continue  to 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  91 

feel  the  same  dutiful  resignation  to  his  bless- 
ed will — the  same  patient  submission  under 
sufferings,  which  he  has  kindly  bestowed  on 
her  for  a  number  of  days  past."  She  then 
requested  Mr.  D.  to  administer  the  sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  supper  to  her.  In  this  he  was 
ready  and  willing  to  gratify  her;  but  the 
physicians  considered  her  too  feeble  to  sus- 
tain the  exercises  necessary,  without  injury 
to  her  health.  When  she  heard  the  objec- 
tions, she  replied,  with  great  meekness,  "  It 
is  well;  I  deserve  the  disappointment.  I 
often  rejected  this  feast  when  all  things  were 
ready  ;  and  now,  when  I  am  ready,  my  kind 
friends  think  it  inexpedient.  Well,  the  Lord 
permits  it  thus  to  be ;  it  is  right — it  is  just 
that  I  should  be  disappointed  here;  but  he 
will  not  refuse  me  a  seat  at  his  table  above." 
She  then  recited  much  of  the  Lord's  deal- 
ings with  her  from  the  time  when  she  was 
seven  years  old.  She  said  she  had  been  sur- 
prised that  so  many  people  had  shown  a  love 
to  her — that  sometimes  she  had  been  so  un- 
charitable as  to  suppose  the  attentions  which 
she  had  received  proceeded  from  an  idea  that, 
as  she  was  an  only  child,  and  the  darling  of 
her  parents,  she  expected  great  civilities ;  for 
which  reason  she  had  thought  it  probable  that 
several  persons  had  made  a  display  of  love 
and  friendship  towards  her  which  they  did 
not  really  feel ;  for  she  herself  felt  as  if  she 
had  no  attractions.     "But  now  (said  she)  I 


92  MEMOIRS  OF 

see  what  it  was — God  loved  me,  though  1 
did  not  know  it  at  the  time,  and  he  put  it 
into  the  hearts  of  his  children  to  love  me 
also." 

September  11th.  She  appeared  so  much 
better,  that  little  doubt  was  entertained  of  her 
recovery.  This  day  she  was  visited  by 
many  friends,  and  was  uncommonly  zealous 
and  feeling  in  her  conversation  with  them, 
A  very  intelligent  female  friend,  who  heard 
her  on  this  occasion,  afterwards  observed 
that  she  was  the  most  divine  preacher  she 
had  ever  heard — that  her  eloquence  and  fer- 
vour far  surpassed  any  thing  she  had  ever 
witnessed — that  her  voice  seemed  to  partake 
of  the  nature  of  heaven.  Her  prayers  asto* 
nished  every  one.  The  same  friend,  at  an- 
other time,  expressed  her  surprise  at  the 
extraordinary  powers  which  she  exhibited. 
To  this  Caroline  replied,  "  My  mental  powers 
are  exceedingly  enlarged — the  Holy  Spirit  is 
my  teacher,  of  myself  I  could  do  nothing  ;  but 
a  new  tongue  hath  been  given  me,  and  a  new 
spirit  put  within  me.  Give  God  the  praise  ; 
for  he  hath  said,  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes 
and  sucklings  shall  praise  be  perfected.  Be- 
hold what  he  has  done  in  my  case  !  I,  who 
could  not,  a  few  weeks  ago,  raise  my  voice 
to  be  heard  without  embarrassment,  particu- 
larly if  the  religion  of  Jesus  was  the  subject, 
can  now  speak  with  holy  boldness  and  inex- 
pressible delight.     My  kind   physicians  try 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  93 

to  impose  silence  ;  but  I  must  speak.  I  have, 
perhaps,  but  a  short  time  to  labour — my 
Maker's  work  I  must  do.  His  commands 
are  more  important  than  theirs,  and  I  delight 
to  do  his  will.  O  !  that  all  the  world  could 
feel  as  I  do.  O  !  that  the  Lord  would  make 
me  the  happy  instrument  of  turning  one  soul 
to  Christ.  O  !  that  my  dear  young  friends 
would  come  out  from  the  world,  as  my 
friend  and  brother  Mr.  J.  used  to  say  to  me." 

She  then  addressed  some  young  persons 
who  were  present,  in  a  most  pathetic  and 
eloquent  manner,  expressive  of  her  most  af- 
fectionate attachment  and  earnest  solicitude 
for  their  present  and  future  felicity.  •  Of  this 
part  of  her  exercises  it  is  not  believed  that 
any  complete  or  just  representation  can  be 
given  here;  therefore  it  will  not  be  at- 
tempted. 

On  the  subject  of  worldly  amusement,  she 
was  uncommonly  earnest  and  forcible.  In 
speaking  on  this  subject  to  some  friends, 
she  said,  "  Let  no  person,  endowed  with  ra- 
tional powers,  call  them  innocent  or  harmless. 
How  can  that  be  harmless  which  leads  to  a 
prodigal  waste  of  precious  time  ?  How  can 
that  thing  be  called  harmless  which  leads  to 
an  unnecessary  exposure  of  health  ?  How 
can  that  amusement  be  innocent  which  has 
not  the  glory  of  God  for  its  object  ?  How 
can  that  amusement  be  harmless  which  has  a 
direct  tendency  to  unfit  the   mind   for  devo- 


94  MEMOIRS  OF 

tional  exercises?  We  are  sueh  frail  crea- 
tures, that  we  constantly  require  some  excite- 
ment to  lead  us  to  God,  and  not  to  estrange 
us  from  him.  Will  any  venture  to  say  that 
they  have  been  brought  to  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  better  by  having  attended  a  theatre  or 
a  ball-room  ?  I  presume  not.  I  can  say, 
from  my  own  experience,  that  I  never  de- 
rived solid  improvement  or  real  pleasure  from 
either.  From  neither  of  them  have  I  ever  de- 
rived any  thing  which  could  afford  my  mind 
the  least  satisfaction  in  hours  devoted  to  self- 
examination,  nor  any  thing  to  strengthen  the 
soul  against  the  terrors  of  death  and  judg- 
ment. I  consider  them  worse  than  vanity — 
they  are  exceeding  sinful." 

She  spoke  much  of  her  absent  relatives 
and  friends,  and  desired  that  particular  mes- 
sages might  be  delivered  to  them.  She 
observed  that  it  would  afford  her  inexpres- 
sible satisfaction  to  see  them  once  more,  to 
tell  them  all  that  the  Lord  had  done  for  her 
soul,  and  to  encourage  them  to  rest  their 
hopes  on  him.  "  But  (said  she)  if  it  be  de- 
creed that  we  shall  not  meet  again  in  this 
life,  tell  them  it  will  be  their  own  fault  if  we 
do  not  meet  in  another  and  better  world — 
Tell  them  there  is  room  enough  for  all  in  my 
Redeemer's  kingdom  ;  and  he  will  give  them 
a  gracious  reception,  if  they  will  only  take 
up  the  cross  and  follow  him."  Then  ad- 
dressing  herself  particularly  to    her  mother, 


CAROLINE    K.    SMELT.  95 

"0  my  mother!  it  would  give  me  such  hap- 
piness to  see  my  pious  friend,  Mr.  J. — I  feel 
as  if  he  was  my  .spiritual  father,  my  dear 
brother  in  the  Lord.  Could  he  see  me  now, 
I  trust  he  would  not  be  ashamed  to  own  me 
as  his  child — his  sister  ;  no,  he  would  gladly 
own  the  relationship."  It  was  remarked  by 
the  many  friends  who  saw  her,  that  they 
never  witnessed  stronger  filial  affection  in 
their  lives.  She  was  ever  on  the  watch  to 
pour  the  balm  of  consolation  into  the  heart  of 
her  sorrowing  mother ;  and  omitted  nothing 
that  she  thought  calculated  to  relieve  her  feel- 
ings. 

September  12th.  On  this  day  she  felt  so 
much  better,  though  she  still  had  some  fever, 
which  never  went  entirely  oif,  that  several 
friends  did  not  hesitate  to  tell  her  that  she 
was  getting  well  very  fast.  Her  mother, 
standing  by  her  bedside,  said,  "  Yes,  the  be- 
loved of  my  heart  is  indeed  recovering;  and 
I  do  hope  the  Lord  has  heard  my  prayers, 
and  will  prolong  her  precious  life  many 
years."  Caroline  looked  concerned.  Some 
one  observed,  "  I  have  no  doubt  of  it ;  I  think 
she  will  be  able  to  ride  out  in  a  few  days." 
She  immediately  gave  the  friend  a  gentle  re- 
buke. Mrs.  Smelt  then  turned  from  the  bed. 
In  an  instant  Caroline  called  her  back,  and 
said,  "  My  blessed  mother,  1  did  not  intend 
that  for  you.  I  know  your  maternal  tender- 
ness induces   you   to  hope,  and  I   conceive 


90  MEMOIRS    OF 

those  hopes  are  perfectly  natural  when  kept 
under  proper  restrictions.  I  should  be  very 
sorry  if  you  should  think  me  capable  of  de- 
parting from  my  duty  as  a  child  so  far  as  to 
rebuke  you,  my  mother.  No  ;  I  have  too 
high  a  sense  of  that  sacred  command,  which 
says,  *  honour  thy  father  and  mother,''  &c. 
and  too  much  love  and  gratitude  to  you,  ever 
to  speak  unbecomingly.  I  thought  our  friend 
(pointing  to  the  person)  spoke  rather  pre- 
sumptuously, and  needed  a  rebuke.  But  I 
did  not  intend  the  least  offence  to  him,  only 
to  remind  him  that  the  secret  designs  of  God 
were  known  only  to  himself;  and  that  the 
event  of  my  case  was  known  only  to  my  hea- 
venly Father." 

The  visiting  friends  having  all  retired, 
Caroline  and  her  mother  were  left  alone  for 
an  hour  or  two.  The  daughter  then  commu- 
nicated many  of  the  exercises  of  her  mind 
since  she  had  been  confined  to  that  bed. 
"  Mother,  (said  she,)  let  no  one  call  it  a  bed 
of  affliction ; — it  has  been  to  me  a  heavenly 
bed.  I  wish  I  could  describe  the  visitation 
I  had  on  the  second  night  of  this  month,  and 
which  I  still  feel  with  a  grateful  recollection. 
How  mercifully  did  the  Lord  deal  with  me ! 
— I  was  oppressed  with  a  heavy  burden:  I 
felt  guilty,  self-condemned,  and  bowed  down 
— the  passage  of  Scripture  which  I  mention- 
ed, constantly  ringing  in  my  ears.  I  felt,  ill, 
extremely  ill.     I  was  not  afraid  of  death  in 


CAROLINE    E.     SMELT.  07 

itself,  but  I  feared  the  displeasure  of  God. 
I  derived  no  comfort  from  the  reflection  that 
I  had  not  been  guilty  of  great  crimes  ;  no 
comfort  from  the  recollection  that  I  had  never 
in  conversation,  or  in  any  other  way,  used 
my  Maker's  name  irreverently.  I  have  al- 
ways held  it  sacred  ;  for,  even  in  prayer  or 
reading,  I  felt  solemn  whenever  I  repeated 
it.  I  knew  my  situation  in  life,  and  a  pious 
education,  had  kept  me  from  being  exposed 
to  gross  temptations  ;  but  I  felt  that  I  had 
lived  in  the  neglect  of  many  known  duties, 
and  in  the  (ibu.se  of  many  distinguished 
blessings:  that  I  had  stifled  many  strong 
convictions,  and  grieved  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
God,  who  had  been  striving  witli  me  in  va- 
rious ways  ever  since  I  was  seven  years  old. 
I  tried  to  draw  comfort  from  the  recollection 
that  I  had,  for  some  months  past,  resolved  to 
take  a  decided  stand  to  serve  the  Lord ;  but 
how  did  I  know  that  he  would  accept  my 
imperfect  services  after  such  rebellion  against 
him  I  I  remembered  the  anxiety  which  I 
felt  to  return  to  this  house.  The  Lord  had 
gratified  me  sooner  than  I  expected.  I  had 
resolved,  as  soon  as  we  got  settled,  to  com- 
mence a  new  system  of  devotion,  and  was 
impatient  to  begin.  The  first  night  on  which 
I  returned  to  the  occupancy  of  my  chamber, 
deserves  to  be  remembered.  As  soon  as  I 
found  myself  alone,  I  prostrated  myself  on 
the  carpet,  and  poured  out  my  soul  in  prayer 


98  MEMOIRS  (Jl- 

tO  my  heavenly  Father.  I  resolved,  by  his 
assistance,  to  make  it  an  important  period  in 
my  life ;  and  from  that  moment  to  give  up 
all  worldly  amusements.  I  made  a  solemn 
promise  never  to  dance  another  step  ;  never 
to  enter  a  theatre  again,  nor  to  resort  to  places 
of  festivity  and  mirth.  I  considered  them  a"s 
all  belonging  to  the  same  family,  and  inju- 
rious to  a  growth  in  grace.  I  then  pleaded, 
with  tears  and  great  fervency,  that  my  God 
and  Saviour  would  condescend  to  consecrate 
my  chamber ;  that  he  would  make  it  a  little 
Bethel,  where  he  would  often  meet  me.  I 
then  felt  so  comforted  and  strengthened  in 
my  good  resolutions,  that  I  had  no  doubt  of 
my  prayer  being  answered.  But,  on  the 
second  day  of  this  month,  I  received  no  con- 
solation from  a  review  of  those  circum- 
stances;— no,  not  a  ray  of  light  from  any 
quarter.  Worlds  would  I  have  given  for  an 
interest  in  the  redemption  purchased  by  the 
blessed  Redeemer ;  without  this,  I  felt  I  was 
for  ever  lost.  I  strove  to  be  fervent  in  pray- 
er ;  but  many  friends  called,  and  I  was  much 
interrupted.  I  was  enabled  all  the  forepart 
of  the  day  to  appear  composed,  for  I  felt 
very  unwilling,  my  dear  mother,  to  increase 
your  sorrows  by  telling  you  I  was  happy  ; 
but  in  the  evening  I  could  not  restrain  my 
feelings  ;  I  was  compelled  to  let  you  know 
all.  You  then  prayed  for  me,  and  repeated 
many    precious   promises.     I  felt  a   sudden 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  99 

heat  pass  over  me  ;  it  surpassed  any  thing 
which  I  ever  felt  before.  My  whole  system 
seemed  as  if  in  a  furnace.  I  was  alarmed. 
I  desired  you  to  engage  with  me  in  silent 
prayer.  O  !  then  my  wrestlings  commenced, 
and  for  one  hour,  one  short  hour,  they  con- 
tinued, at  the  end  of  which  period  I  was 
most  wonderfully  blessed.  What  I  felt  at 
that  moment  can  never  be  described.  The 
Spirit  of  God  was  in  my  soul — nor  can  I  ex- 
press the  half  of  what  he  then  revealed  to 
me.  Indeed,  I  dare  not  attempt  to  describe 
the  manifestation  which  I  then  received.  1 
felt  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost — I  felt  that 
my  soul  was  ransomed  by  the  blood  of  the 
cross — every  sin  washed  away,  and  my  name 
recorded  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life.  Love 
to  God,  and  love  to  his  people,  filled  my 
heart.  I  knew  of  a  truth  that  Jesus  was 
mine,  and  I  was  his  $  and  from  that  moment 
to  this,  my  faith,  my  views  have  been  the 
very  same,  though  my  ecstasies  have  not 
always  been  equally  great.  One  small  cloud 
or  temptation,  and  one  only,  has  Satan 
been  permitted  to  cast  in  my  way,  and  that 
only  for  a  few  minutes.  The  Hearer  of 
prayer  soon  removed  it.  I  believe  it  was 
permitted,  to  show  me  my  weakness,  and  to 
try  my  faith ;  but  the  Lord  soon  said  to  my 
soul,  '  Fear  not,  for  I  am  with  thee,*  O  my 
mother !  do  you  wonder  that  I  should  be  pa- 


100  MEMOIRS    OF 

tient    and   happy  when   I  have   such  divine 
support,  such  holy  comforts?" 

She  then  desired  that  her  position  in  the 
bed  might  be  changed.  This  was  done  ;  by 
which  means  she  had  a  commanding  view  of 
the  garden  from  a  window  near  her  bed.  It 
was  then  near  sunset,  and  a  most  beautiful 
evening.  As  soon  as  she  saw  her  flowering 
shrubs,  (several  of  which  were  loaded  with 
ricli  flowers,)  she  broke  forth  in  the  most 
exalted  strains  of  admiration,  and  adoring 
ejaculations,  to  the  great  Architect  of  the 
universe.  She  commented  sweetly  on  the 
particular  time  of  the  evening — it  was  admi- 
rably adapted  to  contemplation  ;  then  on  the 
serenity  of  the  azure  vault  of  heaven ;  then 
on  a  floating  white  cloud ;  and  remarked  the 
harmony  which  subsisted,  and  was  apparent 
in  all  the  works  of  God.  She  then  asked, 
"  Why  do  frail  mortals  seek  pleasure  in  noisy 
tumultuous  amusements,  when  such  an  am- 
ple volume  lies  open  to  their  view  ?"  She 
then  took  leave  of  a  favourite  shrub,  saying, 
"  Farewell,  my  innocent  friend  ;  your  fra- 
grant blossoms  have  often  regaled  my  senses, 
while  my  thoughts  have  ascended  to  him 
that  made  both  you  and  me.  I  have  often 
plucked  your  flowers,  and  ran  with  delight  to 
present  them  to  my  mother  ;  but  other  hands 
will  now  gather  your  blossoms  :  farewell,  my 
tree,  I  long  to  be  in  the  garden  above. 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT.  10 1 

44  The  finest  flower  that  ever  blow'd 
Open'd  on  Calvary's  tree, 
When  Jesus'  blood  in  rivers  flow'd 
For  love  of  worthless  me. 

44  Its  deepest  hue,  its  sweetest  smell 
No  mortal  can  declare, 
Nor  can  the  tongues  of  angels  tell 
How  bright  the  colours  are* 

44  But  soon,  on  yonder  banks  above, 
Shall  every  blossom  here 
Appear  a  full-blown  flower  of  love, 
Like  him  transplanted  there." 

Her  countenance  beamed  with  radiance 
when  she  said,  44  Farewell,  garden,  delightful 
spot  for  innocent  amusement !  My  infant 
feet  have  often  trod  your  walks" — and  smiling 
when  she  repeated,  44  they  will  never  walk 
them  again,"  She  then  listened,  with  appa- 
rent rapture,  to  the  notes  of  a  little  bird  that 
was  perched  on  a  tree  near  her  window, 
until  her  soul  seemed  transported  almost  to 
heaven.  She  soon  afterwards  desired  her 
mother  to  bring  the  Bible  to  her,  and  read  the 
121st  Psalm,  the  whole  of  which  she  was  en- 
abled to  apply  to  herself.  Mrs,  Smelt  then 
read  to  her  some  passages  in  Isaiah.  Caro- 
line exclaimed,  44  It  is  the  word  of  God — I 
feel  it  in  my  very  soul.  Isaiah  is  a  divine 
prophet — he  is  my  prophet." 

A  friend  entered  soon  afterwards,  to  whom 
Caroline  said,  44  My  dear  aunt,  I  have  taken 
leave  of   the  garden  this  evening,  and  have 


lO'i  MEMO  IKS    Of 

felt  bo  happy,  so  entirely  filled  with  divine 
love,  that  my  room  has  appeared  like  a  little 
Bethel,  or  the  gate  of  heaven."  She  then 
desired  her  mother  to  read  to  her  aunt  the 
same  Psalm  over  again,  saying,  "  Every 
word  of  that  Psalm  is  applicable  to  me — for 
the  Lord  has  preserved,  and  will  keep  me  to 
the  end,  even  for  ever  and  ever."  She  then 
repeated  to  her  friend  many  of  the  sentiments 
which  she  had  just  before  uttered  to  her  mo- 
ther on  the  subject  of  the  garden,  &c.  After 
which  she  said  she  had  never  before  seen 
nature  dressed  in  so  beautiful  a  robe  ;  that  a 
peculiar  brightness  or  lustre  appeared  to  rest 
upon  every  flower  and  upon  every  leaf;  that 
the  whole  sky,  and  even  the  little  cloud 
seemed  to  bear  a  strong  impress  of  her  Mak- 
er's glory  ;  and  concluded  with  the  following 
beautiful  lines  : — 

"The  spacious  firmament  on  high, 
With  all  the  blue  ethereal  sky, 
And  spangled  heavens,  a  shining  frame, 
Their  Great  Original  proclaim." 

September  13th.  Having  rested  very  com- 
fortably during  the  preceding  night,  she  was 
this  day,  to  all  appearance,  considerably  bet- 
ter. She  was  cheerful,  and  observed  to  her 
mother  that  she  began  to  think  that  the  Lord 
might  intend  to  restore  her  to  health ;  that 
the  preceding  evening  she  had  felt  a  strong 
impression  that  she  should  soon  be  removed  ; 


CAROLINA    E.    SMELT.  103 

"  That  is,  (said  she,)  I  hope  so — but  I  was 
not  impatient :  I  felt  perfect  submission  ;  for 
while  I  am  fed  with  such  rich  provisions,  I 
have  nothing  to  fear.  But  to-day  I  have  felt 
such  a  revival  of  bodily  strength,  that  I  do  not 
know  but  God  may  spare  me  to  you  and  my 
dear  father  a  little  longer,  perhaps  for  some 
years  ;  and  I  have  been  endeavouring  to  be 
thankful  on  your  account,  and  to  be  recon- 
ciled to  live,  that  I  may  be  a  comfort  to  you 
both,  and  useful  to  my  friends.  I  have  been 
laying  the  most  delightful  plans  to  advance 
my  Redeemer's  cause  in  every  way  in  my 
power.  If  my  life  be  prolonged,  I  intend  to 
employ  every  talent  to  his  honour.  I  will 
visit  the  poor,  not  only  in  town,  but  in  the 
country.  I  will  exhort  and  admonish  them 
to  serve  the  Lord  :  and  as  the  spirit  of  prayer 
has  been  bestowed  on  me  in  a  very  comfort- 
able measure,  1  will  pray  with  them  in  their 
cottages  ;  I  will  instruct  their  poor  children  ; 
I  will  take  a  class  in  the  Sunday-school ;  I 
will  instruct  our  own  servants,  for  they  all 
love  me,  and  deserve  my  particular  attention. 
I  will  tell  every  one  of  the  goodness  of  God, 
and  that  he  is  worthy  to  be  served.  I  shall 
never  be  backward  in  reproving  my  young 
friends  when  I  see  they  require  it;  and  I 
shall  feel  it  to  be  an  important  duty,  though  I 
shall  endeavour  to  do  it  with  great  meekness. 
Nor  shall  I  ever  feel  backward  to  introduce 
religious    conversation,  in    the    hope    that   n 


104  MEMOIRS    OF 

word  in  season  may  be  spoken  to  some  soul. 
O  my  mother !  I  think  I  can  employ  myself 
so  agreeably,  that  I  may  well  be  reconciled 
to  live  many  years,  if  it  should  be  the  will 
of  my  heavenly  Father  to  continue  me  here. 
Yes,  I  will  be  reconciled,  for  whatever  he 
does  is  right.  O  mother !  I  wish  Mr.  J. 
may  return  to  this  country,  he  will  never 
again  call  me  tacit  Caroline.  I  could  now 
hold  sweet  converse  with  him,  for  the  Lord 
hath  filled  my  mouth  with  good  things.  I 
could  tell  him  things  which  would  fill  his 
pious  heart  with  joy  and  gladness.  He 
would  feel  encouraged  to  go  on  with  renewed 
zeal  in  his  heavenly  Father's  work.  If  he 
could  see  me,  poor  feeble  me,  now  that  I  am 
brought  out  of  darkness  into  marvellous 
light,  he  M'ould  never  despair  of  reclaiming 
others.  Do,  mother,  write  to  him  ;  I  am 
sure  he  would  come  if  he  knew  all,  and 
spend  the  winter  here." 

About  the  middle  of  the  day,  she  sent  for 
Mr.  M.  When  he  came,  she  desired  him  to 
pray  with  her.  She  then  conversed  very 
pleasantly  with  him,  and  mentioned  her  will- 
ingness to  live  or  to  die  ;  but  entreated  him 
to  remember  her  in  his  private  visits  to  a 
throne  of  grace.  She  told  him  how  much 
she  had  respected  and  esteemed  him  ever 
since  she  first  knew  him,  when  she  was  seven 
years  old  ;  and  begged  him,  should  she  be 
raised  from  that  sick  bed,  never  to  feel  the 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT.  105 

least  hesitation  to  admonish  or  reprove  her, 
should  he  see  that  she  required  it.  She  also 
expressed  a  hope  that  all  her  Christian 
friends  would  do  the  same. 

In  the  evening-,  she  was  so  much  better 
that  her  physicians  indulged  her  in  a  wish  to 
sit  up  in  an  easy-chair.  When  she  was 
about  to  rise,  she  desired  that  none  but  her 
mother  and  a  faithful  servant  should  assist 
her.  As  soon  as  she  left  the  bed  she  took 
Mrs.  Smelt  by  the  arm,  and  said,  "  Now, 
mother,  kneel  by  the  side  of  this  bed  with 
me."  They  kneeled  down  ;  after  which  she 
offered  up  a  most  evangelical  prayer,  in 
whirli  she  implored  grace  to  make  her  thank- 
ful for  being  raised  from  the  first  sick  bed 
upon  which  she  had  ever  been  laid  ;  and  that, 
whether  she  lived  months,  days,  weeks,  or 
years,  she  might  live  to  the  glory  of  God ; 
that  she  might  ever  be  mindful  of  the  mani- 
festations of  divine  love  which  she  had  re- 
ceived in  that  room,  and  on  that  bed  ;  that  she 
might  never  be  allowed  to  sin  because  grace 
abounded,  but  that  she  might  always  feel 
the  same  holy  submission,  the  same  holy  de- 
sires, which  then  filled  her  heart.  She 
prayed  for  sinners  generally;  and  finding 
her  strength  failing,  she  made  a  most  pathe- 
tic address  to  Heaven,  saying,  it  was  known 
to  her  heavenly  Father  what  was  in  her  heart 
to  say,  and  that,  4t  He  would  have  mercy, 
and  not  sacrifice."     She   then  renewed  her 


106  MEMOIRS    OF 

engagements  to  be  Christ's,  and  committed 
herself  to  his  care  ;  at  which  time  she  came 
near  to  fainting.  Her  mother  was  obliged 
to  raise  her,  led  her  to  the  easy-chair,  and 
administered  a  cordial.  In  a  few  minutes 
she  revived,  and  requested  that  the  physi- 
cians and  friends  might  be  called  from  an 
adjoining  room — she  knew  it  would  give 
them  pleasure  to  see  her  sitting  up.  She 
conversed  very  pleasantly  for  a  short  time  ; 
but  feeling  faint,  she  was  advised  to  return  to 
her  bed.  This  she  did,  and  rested  tolerably 
well  the  whole  of  that  night. 

September  14th.  Her  apprarance  this 
day  inspired  her  friends  with  ptill  stronger 
hopes  of  her  recovery.  The  physicians  di- 
rected her  again  to  sit  up  half  an  hour.  Her 
mother,  being  much  fatigued,  and  considerably 
indisposed,  retired  early  in  the  day  to  take 
some  rest.  On  her  return,  she  found  Caro- 
line unusually  cheerful,  in  which  state  she 
continued  through  the  residue  of  that  day. 
In  the  evening  she  was  observed  to  be  very 
feeble,  but  still  much  inclined  to  conversa- 
tion ;  and  every  thing  she  said  was  so  inte- 
resting and  instructive,  that  it  was  a  difficult 
matter  to  impose  silence  upon  her.  Mrs. 
Smelt  at  length  expressed  to  her  a  fear  lest 
she  would  do  herself  an  injury  ;  and  requested 
her  to  forbear  for  a  little  while,  at  least,  until 
she  recovered  a  little  more  strength.  To 
this    Caroline  replied,  with   a   sweet  smile, 


CAROLINE    E.   SMELT.  107 

"  My  dear  mother,  do  not  tear.  When  I 
feel  the  greatest  prostration  of  bodily  strength, 
I  am  then  strongest  in  the  Lord.  Through- 
out my  whole  indisposition  heretofore,  there 
have  been  periods  in  each  day  (at  least  ever 
since  I  have  been  convalescent)  that  I  felt  as 
if  life  were  ebbing ;  and  at  those  times  I 
have  enjoyed  the  sweetest  communion  with 
my  heavenly  Father.  I  feel  no  anxiety  but 
for  you.  I  wish  to  see  your  faith  stronger. 
I  want  to  see  you  free  from  hopes  or  fears, 
and  to  be  prepared  for  every  providence. 
O !  I  am  greatly  blessed.  I  feel  for  my 
dear  father's  sufferings,  and  hope  they  may 
be  sanctified ;  but  I  know  he  is  in  the  hands 
of  God,  who  doeth  all  things  well.  I  am 
distressed  about  nothing ;  that  is,  my  faith 
sustains  me — my  soul  is  at  peace.  I  know, 
my  mother,  that  great  allowances  will  be 
made  for  your  feelings.  Your  maternal 
affections  are  very  strong—you  love  me  ten- 
derly— I  am  your  only  child ;  and  my  hea- 
venly Father  is  full  of  compassion.  He 
knows  that  feeble  nature  will  feel,  even  when 
his  dear  children  submit  to  his  chastisements 
with  a  becoming  spirit.  Tears  are  not  offen- 
sive to  him;  for  you  know  Jesus  wept  with 
Mary  at  the  grave  of  Lazarus,  and  he  will 
sustain  you.  He  is  your  friend — He  is  my 
friend,  and  He  will  never  leave  us  nor  for- 
sake us.  Now,  mother,  take— just  take  a 
view  of  his  tender  mercies  to  me.      Every 


108  ME  MO  IKS    OS' 

morning  I  am  so  refreshed  that  I  am  able  to 
go  through  the  necessary  changes  for  my 
comfort,  and  I  have  prayed  that  this  might 
be  continued  ;  for  I  never  could  feel  pleasant 
unless  I  were  entirely  neat.  Besides,  I  am 
enabled  to  have  my  little  Bethel  (room)  neat- 
ly attended  to  every  morning,  and  all  my  little 
comforts  kept  in  order,  without  the  smallest 
inconvenience  to  my  feelings.  I  am  furnish- 
ed with  every  necessary  comfort.  Let  me 
tell  you  of  a  circumstance  that  occurred  the 
other  day  :  I  thought  for  a  few  moments  that 
1  should  like  to  refresh  my  mouth  with  a 
lime ;  but  I  considered  that  no  such  thing 
could  be  had  in  town  at  this  time,  and,  as  I 
had  oranges,  I  would  be  content.  Within  a 
few  hours  afterwards  a  present  of  several 
dozens  of  limes  was  sent  to  me  by  an  almost 
perfect  stranger,  and  from  the  distance  of 
several  miles  too.  I  immediately  gave  God 
the  praise.  Oh  !  he  is  ever  mindful  of  his 
children,  and  will  never  let  them  want  any 
good  thing.  Only  see  what  kind  friends  he 
has  given  me  !  not  one  seems  weary  in  serv- 
ing me  ;  no,  they  will  not  take  rest  when 
they  might.  Here  is  my  beloved  cousin, 
(pointing  to  one),  who  is  ever  on  the  watch 
to  put  her  soft  hand  in  active  operation  for 
my  comfort.  There  is  my  dear  aunt,  whose 
very  voice  brings  comfort  with  it,  gives  me 
every  leisure  moment ;  and  this  kind  mother 
aunt   (pointing   to   another  friend)    will   not 


CAROLINE  E.  S3IELT.  100 

leave  me  by  clay  or  night.  My  kind  physi- 
cians discover  the  interest  of  fathers  and 
brothers.  They  know  my  own  father  is  ill, 
and  in  sorrow ;  and  they  scarcely  leave  us, 
even  to  attend  to  their  professional  duties. 
The  ministers  of  the  Lord,  and  my  dear 
friend,  Mr.  M.,  visit  me  every  day  to  help 
me  with  their  prayers.  Our  faithful  servants 
show  such  affectionate  solicitude  that  I  am 
never  left  a  moment  without  their  attendance, 
and  they  appear  to  give  their  services  with 
the  utmost  readiness ;  and  all  my  acquaint- 
ances show  me  great  kindness.  My  bed  has 
been  to  me  a  heavenly  one — my  chamber  has 
been  a  Bethel,  for  here  has  the  Lord  conde- 
scended to  meet  with  me — here  has  he  poured 
out  his  Spirit  upon  me — here  has  he  answered 
my  prayers,  and  here  will  I  raise  my  Ebene- 
zer,  for  hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  me. 
O  my  mother  !  let  these  things  excite  in  your 
heart  fresh  confidence  and  gratitude  to  God, 
whose  mercies  are  renewed  to  us  every 
morning,  and  repeated  every  evening— every 
moment.'' 

At  this  time  all  her  friends  thought  her 
much  better,  except  her  mother,  whom  the 
faculty  considered  unreasonable  for  indulging 
a  doubt  of  her  recovery.  But  she  thought 
her  daughter  too  ripe  for  glory  to  be  long 
continued  here  ;  and  she  wished  to  be  sub- 
missively prepared  for  that  dispensation  of 
Divine  Providence,  which  she  thought  would 
K 


110  MEMOIRS  OF 

shortly  remove  "  the  joy  of  her  heart,  and 
desire' of  her  eyes."  That  night  Caroline 
enjoyed  considerable  quietude,  but  very  little 
sleep. 

September  loth.  On  the  morning  of  this 
day  she  appeared,  for  some  hours,  much  as 
she  had  been  on  the  day  before.  A  friend, 
hearing  that  she  was  getting  well,  sent  her 
twelve  varieties  of  choice  flowers.  She  ap- 
peared unusually  delighted  as  soon  as  she 
saw  them.  She  requested  h.er  mother  to 
spread  them  out  before  her  on  the  bed,  and 
then  to  present  them,  one  by  one,  to  her 
view  ;  which  was  done  accordingly.  There 
was  one  which  was  conspicuous  for  its  size 
and  colour,  which  she  requested  to  be  hand- 
ed to  her  first.  On  taking  it  in  her  hand,  she 
called  all  her  friends  present  to  view  its  beau- 
ties. Her  admiration  of  that  flower  excited 
the  wonder  of  her  friends,  for  it  did  not 
strike  them,  at  the  moment,  as  being  equal 
to  the  others  in  beauty  ;  nor  was  it  thought 
to  accord  with  her  general  taste,  as  the  flower 
in  question  was  of  a  crimson  hue.  Her  mo- 
ther remarking  this  to  her,  she  replied,  "  O 
mother  !  then  you  do  not  see  what  I  see,  for 
it  reflects  beauty  on  all  the  rest.  That  rich 
crimson  colour  reminds  me  of  the  precious 
blood  of  Christ ;  its  size,  transparency,  and 
fulness  remind  me  of  the  love,  purity,  and 
all-sufficiency  of  my  blessed  Redeemer.  Ex- 
amine its   petals ;  view  the  vast  number  of 


CAROLINE  E,  SMELT,  111 

veins  in  each !  how  expressive  of  the  chan- 
nels of  divine  grace  !  What  entire  perfec- 
tion is  impressed  on  every  leaf!"  Her  mo- 
ther, fearing'  she  would  exhaust  herself,  pro- 
posed to  take  the  whole  of  the  flowers  and 
put  them  in  water.  Caroline  sweetly  asked 
permission  to  examine  the  others  also,  which 
was  granted.  She  then  commented  with 
great  eloquence  on  each  one,  and  concluded 
by  repeating,  "  Solomon  in  all  his  glory 
was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these"  The 
(lowers  were  then  gathered  up  to  be  removed  ; 
but  she  desired  they  might  be  put  in  a  flower- 
pot, and  placed  where  she  could  view  them. 
After  the  removal  of  the  flowers,  it  was  ob- 
served that  she  had  retained  the  bud  of  a 
small  white  cluster-rose,  which  she  held  in 
her  fingers.  After  a  silence  which  lasted  for 
some  considerable  time,  Caroline  at  length 
said,  "Mother,  look  at  this,"  holding  up  the 
rose-bud.  She  paused,  as  if  she  wished  her 
mother  to  say  something.  Mrs.  Smelt  re- 
plied, "  My  daughter,  I  suppose  you  discover 
some  similarity  between  that  bud  and  your- 
self." Caroline  smiled.  Mrs.  Smelt  observed 
that  the  rose-hud  was  an  emblem  of  youth 
and  innocence.  Caroline  again  smiled,  and 
said,  "  No,  my  mother,  your  thoughts  and 
mine  have  not  been  the  same  this  time, 
though  we  very  generally  think  alike.  But 
this  little  bud  is  emblematical  of  the  grace 
that  is  now  in  my  soul — (she  then  exclaimed) 


112  MEMOIRS  OF 

to  bloom,  to  expand  in  the  garden  of  hea- 
ven!" In  a  short  time  afterwards  her  mo- 
ther discovered  that  Caroline  was  not  so  well 
as  she  had  been,  in  which  opinion  then- 
friends  did  not  agree  with  her.  In  the  even- 
ing, the  fever  increased,  and  her  rest  that 
night  was  not  so  good  as  for  some  nights  im- 
mediately before. 

September  16th.  On  the  morning  of  this 
day  her  fever  was  somewhat  abated,  but  she 
was  evidently  weaker ;  yet  perfectly  tranquil 
and  heavenly-minded.  A  pious  friend  called 
to  see  her  in  the  forenoon  of  this  day.  She 
immediately  began  to  tell  her  what  the  Lord 
had  done  for  her  soul ;  expressed  great  con- 
cern for  the  state  of  the  church  in  Augusta- 
spoke  with  great  feeling  of  the  awful  declen- 
sion in  religion — prayed  that  God  would  visit 
her  native  city  with  an  outpouring  of  his  Spi- 
rit— that  he  would  stir  up  the  church  mem- 
bers to  greater  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Zion,  and 
entreated  that  all  who  named  the  name  of 
Christ  might  be  less  comformed  to  the  fashion 
of  this  world,  and  more  conformed  to  the 
simplicity  of  the  gospel — that  they  might  be 
made  to  frown  on  sinful  amusements  and  all 
extravagant  follies — and  to  exhibit,  on  all 
occasions,  an  example  worthy  of  imitation, 
and  expressive  of  the  hope  that  is  in  them. 
She  continued,  by  addressing  all  that  were 
present,  in  substance  as  follows  :  "  I  feel  as 
if  the  Lord  would  visit  Augusta  with  the  most 


CAROLINE    £.  SMELT.  US 

distinguished  blessings,  if  Christians  would 
only  discharge  their  duty.  He  waits  to  be 
gracious  to  you.  But,  my  dear  friends,  you 
must  be  more  united ;  you  must  be  more  like 
our  blessed  Saviour.  Let  me  entreat  you, 
(be  not  offended  with  me  because  I  am  a 
child  in  years,  compared  with  you,)  hear  me, 
for  I  am  deeply  interested  for  your  souls' 
best  interests — yes,  allow  me  to  entreat  you  to 
meet  often  in  social  prayer  to  God,  that  he 
may  send  you  a  faithful  pastor — one  of  his 
own  dear  sons,  to  minister  in  holy  things  to 
you.  Pray  frequently  and  fervently  for  a  re- 
vival of  religion,  and  God  will  hear  you  and 
give  an  answer  in  peace.  Abound  in  good 
works — exercise  holy  faiih  in  the  Son  of 
God,  and  lie  will  bless  you.  You,  that  are 
professors,  are  all  bound  by  a  solemn  vow  to 
serve  the  Lord  ;  and  you  must  do  it  with 
devotedness  of  heart.  He  requires  this  of 
you,  and  to  him  you  will  have  to  render 
an  account.  Therefore,  O  professed  follow- 
ers of  Jesus  !  be  zealous  in  his  cause." 

After  the  friends  had  retired,  her  mother 
expressed  a  fear  that  she  had  been  too  vehe- 
ment— that  the  friends  to  whom  she  had  been 
speaking  were  very  pious  persons,  and  might 
think  the  exhortation  unnecessary,  or  might 
suppose  that  she  conceived  them  to  be  luke- 
warm Christians.  To  this  Caroline  replied, 
"Ono!  mother,  I  feel  no  fear  that  I  went 
one  step  too  far.  My  Saviour  will  not  let 
k  2 


114  T4EM01K6    OF 

me  exceed  proper  bounds,  when  i  am  en- 
gaged in  his  service.  Now,  mother,  will  you 
excuse  me  if  I  tell  you  one  thing?  I  wish 
to  do  it  with  great  filial  deference,  and  would 
not  wish  to  wound  your  feelings  in  a  single 
instance."  Her  mother  then  requested  her 
to  speak.  She  then  said,  in  a  most  impres- 
sive manner,  "  Mother,  your  faith  is  too 
weak.  You  must  gird  up  the  loins  of  your 
mind,  and  never  be  afraid  of  offending  your 
friends  by  telling  them  the  truth,  if  you  can 
by  that  means  advance  or  extend  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom.  I  used  to  admire  your 
forbearance ;  but  now  I  would  rather  see  you 
come  out  boldly,  and  cast  off  all  unprofitable 
fear."  Her  mother  approved  the  sentiment, 
and  thanked  her  for  the  advice  ;  after  which 
she  said  to  her,  •«  My  daughter,  you  feel  now 
as  if  you  could  perform  every  duty  with 
ease  ;  but  if  you  recover,  you  will  feel  it  no 
easy  task.  If  you  again  mix  with  the  world, 
you  will  have  to  encounter  many  tempta- 
tions ;  the  flesh  is  weak ;  Satan  is  a  subtle 
enemy,  and  often  tempts  us  to  be  ashamed 
of  what  we  know  to  be  our  duty."  Caroline 
then,  with  gentle  earnestness,  exclaimed,  "  O 
mother,  do  not  tell  me  so  I"  Then  raising 
her  eyes  and  hands,  she  said,  "  O  blessed 
Saviour !  let  me  die  any  death — let  me  die 
this  moment,  rather  than  that  I  should  live  to 
be  ashamed  to  advance  thy  cause.  No,  my 
dear  mother,  there  is  no  fear  of  those   who 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT,  115 

devote  themselves  entirely  to  the  service  of 
God.  He  has  promised  (and  the  Lord  is 
not  a  deceiver)  that  he  will  sustain  his  child- 
ren, that  none  shall  be  able  to  pluck  them 
out  of  his  hands.  If  God  be  for  us,  who 
shall  prevail  against  us  ?  No ;  it  is  want 
of  faith  in  his  word  that  makes  so  many 
weak  Christians.  The  world  has  too  much 
to  do  with  us  when  we  find  duty  difficult  and 
heavy.  If  we  live  near  to  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, he  will  be  near  to  us ;  and  he  will  make 
the  performance  of  every  duty  pleasant,  for 
he  has  said,  his  yoke  is  easy  and  his  burden 
light." 

Towards  evening  she  had  more  fever,  and 
little  or  no  sleep  that  night.  She  evidently 
endured  considerable  pain ;  but  no  complaint 
escaped  from  her  lips. 

September  17th.  About  nine  o'clock  of 
this  day  a  most  violent  chill  came  on,  which 
was  succeeded  by  a  higher  fever  than  she 
had  ever  had  before.  Her  sufferings  were 
great,  but  not  a  murmur  was  she  heard  to 
utter.  In  the  course  of  the  day  a  number  of 
blisters  were  applied.  She  observed  that  she 
felt  a  new  sensation  in  her  head,  different 
from  any  she  had  ever  felt  before,  and,  with 
great  composure,  requested  that  her  hair 
might  be  removed.  She  desired  her  mother 
to  go  and  consult  her  father  on  the  subject. 
This  was  done  ;  on  which  Dr.  Smelt  ex- 
claimed, with   considerable   agitation,   "  Not 


116  MEMOIRS    OF 

her  hair!  not  that  beautiful  hair!  Go  and 
tell  her  that  I  cannot  consent  to  the  loss  of  it, 
unless  it  should  be  absolutely  necessary. 
Ask  the  physicians  to  come  to  me."  Two 
of  the  gentlemen  went  to  him  ;  and  after- 
wards returned  to  Caroline,  and  stated  exact- 
ly to  her  what  her  father  had  said.  She 
smiled,  and  said,  "  I  did  not  know  before  that 
my  dear  father  attached  so  much  importance 
to  my  hair.  Will  you  please  to  tell  him  that 
I  feel  an  unusual  degree  of  heat  about  the 
head,  and  a  very  strange  sensation  in  it,  that  I 
do  not  like  ;  I  think  that  it  may,  in  some 
measure,  arise  from  the  great  profusion  of 
my  hair,  and  might  possibly  be  relieved  by 
its  removal.  Tell  him  I  am  desirous  to 
preserve  my  mental  powers  to  the  last,  that  1 
may  speak  my  Maker's  praises,  in  a  sane 
mind,  with  my  latest  breath.  Tell  him  that, 
if  I  recover,  the  same  Power  that  has  clothed 
my  head  so  abundantly,  can  and  will  do  it 
again,  should  it  be  necessary."  This  mes- 
sage was  delivered  by  Mrs.  Smelt  to  her 
husband,  who  directed  her  to  assure  his 
daughter  that  neither  of  tbe  physicians  con- 
sidered this  measure  requisite;  and  unless 
she  insisted  on  its  being  done,  he  could  not 
consent  to  it,  but  hoped  she  would  recover 
without  resorting  to  this  unpleasant  remedy. 
When  Caroline  received  this  information  she 
placidly  smiled,  and  said,  "  My  dear  father 
shall  be  indulged  in  his   tenderness.      God  is 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  117 

all-sufficient,  and  in  him  is  my  confidence. 
Though  I  think  it  proper  to  use  the  means 
which  he  affords  us,  still  they  will  be  un- 
availing unless  he  choose  to  give  them  effica- 
cy. He  can  cause  a  drop  of  cold  water  to  do 
me  more  good,  my  medical  friends,  than  ail 
the  drugs  you  give  me."  She  had  a  very 
sick  night,  but  was  thought  better  towards 
morning. 

September  18th.  During  this  day  great 
languor  came  on  her  whole  system,  and  more 
blisters  were  applied.  Nevertheless  her 
fever  increased,  but  no  chill  was  felt  by  her. 
Mrs.  Smelt  observed  to  her,  "  My  beloved 
child,  your  sufferings  are  very  great."  She 
replied,  with  a  sweet  smile,  "Not  greater, 
my  mother,  than  I  can  bear.  Although  I 
feel,  and  feel  sensibly,  the  chastening  rod, 
still  I  am  enabled,  through  divine  grace,  not 
only  to  bear  it  with  calmness,  but  to  kiss  the 
rod  with  holy  gratitude,  and  bless  the  hand 
winch  inflicts  the  stripes.  Before  I  was 
afflicted  I  went  astray.  My  heart  was  as 
hard  as  the  rock  in  the  wilderness  which 
Moses  smote,  and  it  became  necessary  that  it 
should  feel  the  rod  ;  and  God,  who  doeth  all 
things  well,  smote  it,  and  hath  caused  it  to 
overflow  with  living  waters.  What  if  this 
frail  body  should  have  to  suffer  a  little  while  ? 
Did  not  the  blessed  Saviour  suffer  much 
more  ?  Yes,  more  than  human  language 
can  express,  to  redeem  me  from  endless  \\ol 


1 18  MEMOIRS  OF 

I  suffer  deservedly  ;  but  he  gave  himself  a 
willing  sacrifice  for  *i??."  Her  mother  then 
said  to  her,  **  My  dear  child,  your  meekness 
and  pious  submission  to  the  will  of  God  en- 
dear you  tenfold  to  my  heart."  To  this 
Caroline  replied,  "My  blessed  mother,  it  is 
only  another  instance,  among  many,  of  the 
goodness  of  God  to  us  both.  Such  an  exam- 
ple of  suffering  patience  is  held  up  to  my 
view  in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  dis- 
solves my  heart :  He  gave  his  precious  life 
to  ransom  my  soul ;  and  ought  I  to  complain 
of  my  light  afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a 
moment,  and  will  be  followed  by  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory?  My 
gracious  Lord  will  not  inflict  one  unnecessary 
pain.  He  will  enable  me  to  sustain,  to  the 
very  last,  every  affliction  or  trial  which  is 
necessary  to  the  health  of  my  immortal  soul." 
Then  pointing  with  her  linger  to  the  Bible, 
she  continued,  "  What  has  he  said  in  Isaiah, 
xli.  1,  2,  3  ?  '  But  71010  thus  saith  the  Lord 
that  created  thee,  O  Jacob,  (O  Caroline,)  and 
lie  that  formed  thee,  0  Israel,  (O  Caroline,) 
fear  not ;  for  I  have  redeemed  thee  ;  1  have 
called  thee  by  thy  name;  thou  art  mine. 
When  thou  pas  seat  through  the  ivaters,  J 
will  be  with  thee,  and  through  the  rivers, 
they  shall  not  overflow  thee ;  when  thou 
weakest  through  the  fire,  thou  shall  not  be 
burnt,  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon 
thee.     For  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  Holy 


CAROLINE    E.   SMELT.  119 

One  of  Israel,  thy  Saviour?  These  pro- 
mises fill  my  heart  with  divine  joy.  I  have 
the  most  perfect  confidence  in  them,  and  feel 
not  the  smallest  doubt  of  their  fulfilment 
in  my  behalf.  O  heavenly  Parent !  thy 
tender  mercies  towards  me  are  not  to  be 
numbered,  nor  can  they  be  conceived."  She 
continued  very  ill  throughout  the  whole  of 
that  day.  Cataplasms  were  again  applied  to 
the  soles  of  her  feet. 

September  19th.  This  morning  she  ap- 
peared rather  better  until  the  chill  returned  ; 
when  she  felt  the  first  symptoms  of  it,  she 
observed  to  her  mother  that  she  was  well 
pleased.  Mrs.  Smelt  was  much  alarmed, 
because  she  apprehended  that  her  daughter 
had  not  strength  sufficient  to  enable  her  to 
live  through  it,  but  Caroline  endeavoured  to 
comfort  her. 

Within  a  short  time  afterwards,  symptoms 
accompanying  the  fever  pointed  to  the  neces- 
sity of  blistering  her  head.  When  her  hair 
was  removed,  she  expressed  great  satisfac- 
tion. She  observed,  that  many  persons 
might  suppose  that  she  would  feel  some  mor- 
tification at  the  loss  of  her  hair,  but  that  she 
felt  none.  "  1  wish,"  said  she,  "  my  dear 
father  may  feel  as  composed  as  I  do."  She 
then  desired  a  friend  to  hold  it  up  to  her 
view.  She  said,  as  she  looked  on  it,  "  I  did 
not  think  there  was  such  a  quantity."     (It 


120  MEMOIRS    OF 

was  more  than  a  yard  long,  of  a  dark  glossy- 
brown  colour,  and  very  thick.)  "  Well,  it 
will  never  again  fatigue  my  poor  arms  to 
comb,  curl,  and  dispose  of  it  fancifully.  Had 
I  kept  it,  I  should  never,  I  hope,  have  spent 
so  much  precious  time  in  that  way  again  ; 
but  it  is  all  over  now.  Put  it  away ;  my 
parents  will  wish  to  see  it."  She  soon  after- 
wards fell  asleep,  and  did  not  awake  till  near 
bed-time  ;  she  then  expressed  her  regret  that 
she  had  slept  so  long,  but  was  too  feeble  to 
speak  much.  She  appeared  very  composed 
through  the  remaining  part  of  the  night. 

September  20th.  This  morning  she  ap- 
peared to  revive  a  little.  She  desired  her 
mother  to  read  a  portion  of  God's  word  to 
her.  After  reading  sundry  passages,  at 
length  the  following  was  read  in  her  hearing, 
viz.  Isa.  x.  22 — "  The  consumption  decreed 
shall  overflow  with  righteousness."  No 
sooner  were  these  words  repeated  than  she 
laid  her  finger  on  her  mother's  hand,  giving 
her  a  look  full  of  expression,  and  said,  "  Mo- 
ther, do  you  understand  that?"  repeating  the 
words  with  great  emphasis,  "  will  you  go 
and  read  them  to  my  father,  and  bring  me 
word  what  he  says  ?"  Mrs.  Smelt  went ; 
but  found  him  asleep,  with  a  fever  on  him. 
She  did  not  awake  him,  but  returned  and 
told  her  his  situation.  Caroline  then  request- 
ed her  not  to  forget  to  do  it  when  he  should 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT,  121 

awake.  "  Do  not  be  uneasy,  my  clear  mother  ; 
the  Lord  will  not,  I  think,  remove  my  father 
at  this  time  ;  his  sickness  is  not  unto  death." 

Her  mother  then  said  to  her,  "My  beloved 
Caroline,  you  are  very  ill ;  how  are  your 
feelings  to-day?  Is  your  faith  as  strong  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  as  ever?  Are  you  as  willing 
to  depart,  and  are  your  views  of  divine  mer- 
cy as  great,  as  clear  as  they  have  been?" 
She  replied,  with  a  countenance  beaming 
with  divine  love,  "Just  the  same — -just  the 
same.  My  heavenly  Father  has  never  left 
me  ;  and  whether  I  live  or  die,  it  will  be  to 
the  glory  of  God."  She  said  much  more, 
which  cannot  be  accurately  recollected ;  but 
every  sentiment  which  she  expressed  breath- 
ed the  strongest  confidence,  and  sweetest  re- 
signation to  the  will  of  God. 

It  was  soon  discovered  that  her  speech  be- 
gan to  fail.  Her  mother  took  leave  of  her 
With  forced  composure.  She  shortly  after- 
wards fell  asleep,  and  never  spoke  again. 
She  continued  in  this  state  for  several  hours  ; 
after  which,  on  Sabbath  evening,  the  21st 
September,  her  happy  spirit  was  released 
from  "  the  earthly  house  of  its  tabernacle," 
and  took  its  flight  to  the  arms  of  Jesus.  Not 
a  single  struggle,  not  the  smallest  distortion 
of  features,  nor  even  the  movement  of  a  sin- 
gle limb,  appeared  in  her  last  moments.  She 
was  gone  some  seconds  before  the  many 
kind  friends,  who  surrounded  her  dying 
L 


122  MEMOIRS  OF 

couch,  had  ascertained  that  her  spirit  had  in- 
deed departed. 

It  is  deemed  worthy  of  remark  that  she 
told  many  of  her  friends,  some  time  before 
her  departure,  that  she  prayed  that  her  end 
might  be  just  as  in  the  event  it  proved  to  be. 
She  observed  to  them,  that  she  knew  her  dear 
parents  would  feel  much  distressed  to  see  her 
die  in  hard  struggles  ;  or  even  to  know  that 
this  was  the  case,  if  they  did  not  witness  it; 
and  she  knew  that  her  Heavenly  Father  would 
grant  her  petition,  and  temper  the  providence, 
as  much  as  was  right,  to  their  feelings.  This 
was  realized  in  a  most  remarkable  degree. 
Her  father,  during  the  remission  of  his  fever, 
was  enabled  to  visit  her  chamber,  in  company 
with  her  mother,  during  the  time  of  her  sleep 
which  immediately  preceded  her  decease. 
They  saw  that  it  was  the  sleep  of  death  ;  for 
to  their  repeated  calls  she  made  no  answer. 
Once,  and  only  once,  when  standing  by  her 
bedside,  they  united  their  voices  in  calling, 
"  Caroline  !  oh  Caroline  !  our  beloved  daugh- 
ter, shall  we  never  more  hear  the  sound  of 
your  harmonious  voice  ? — It  is  your  father 
and  mother  that  thus  call  you  ;"  she  made  an 
effort  to  open  her  eyes,  and  to  move  her  lips 
to  speak,  but  could  not.  However,  she  was 
enabled  to  smile.  She  lay  like  one  reposing 
in  health,  perfectly  calm.  They  impressed 
a  kiss  of  affection  on  her  lips,  repeating,  "  It 
is   your   father— it   is   your  mother."      She 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT.  123 

made  no  signal  of  sensibility,  except  another 
smile.  Mrs.  Smelt  repeated  her  visits  again 
and  again  to  her  before  she  departed.  She 
viewed  her  dying  daughter  with  a  solemn 
pleasure,  and  found  herself  frequently  breath- 
ing "  O  may  my  last  end  be  like  hers  !"  The 
fervent  prayers  of  two  friends,  who  called  in 
a  little  while  before  she  fell  asleep  in  Jesus, 
contributed  much  to  her  comfort.  She  felt 
indeed  that  the  cup  of  which  she  had  to 
drink  was  bitter ;  but  she  was  enabled  to  say 
with  submission,  "  Not  my  mil,  but  thine, 
O  God,  be  doner 

After  the  first  necessary  offices  were  per- 
formed to  the  dead  body  of  Caroline,  her 
parents  desired  much  to  see  her,  but  appre- 
hended a  shock  to  their  feelings  from  the 
view  of  her  lifeless  corpse — to  see  the  object 
of  their  earthly  hopes  and  fond  affections  an 
inanimate  lump  of  clay.  But  looking  to  him 
who  had  so  wonderfully  tempered  the  be- 
reavement, they  went  forward  to  the  chamber 
of  death.  They  were  both  supported,  to  the 
wonder  of  their  friends.  They  both,  for 
some  time,  regarded  the  dead  body  with  calm 
composure,  and  thought  themselves  honoured 
parents.  Mrs.  Smelt  felt  humbled  under  the 
mighty  power  of  God  ;  but  felt  a  pleasure 
also  in  recollecting  that  she  had  been  the 
honoured  (though  unworthy)  instrument,  of 
rearing  a  virgin-saint,  matured  by  sovereign 
grace  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven.     At  length 


124  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  feelings  of  the  mourning  father  became  too 
strong  to  endure  concealment  or  restraint. 
As  he  stood  bending  over  the  dead  body  of 
his  only  child,  he  thus  addressed  his  bereaved 
partner  :  "  She  is  gone. — It  is  death  !  but 
oh  !  I  never  saw  it  in  so  heavenly  a  form 
before.  It  is  death  !  but  he  has  made  no 
ravages  upon  that  face.  She  is  changed  a 
little  ;  but  more  beautiful  than  ever.  What 
serene  majesty  of  countenance  !  and  what 
heavenly  calmness  ! — her  sufferings  are  over. 
We  are  bereaved  of  our  only  child ;  but  she 
is  happy,  and  God  be  praised.  I  am  too  fee- 
ble to  remain  longer  now."  He  kissed  her, 
and  said,  "  I  will  see  you  again,  my  child, 
before  you  leave  us  for  ever.  I  will,  with 
God's  permission,  see  you  again  after  you 
are  laid  in  your  coffin — it  will  compose  me ; — 
for  you  were  graceful  and  majestic  in  life, 
and  you  are  majestic  and  beautiful  in  death." 
lie  then  retired  to  his  own  apartment.  On 
the  following  day,  her  earthly  remains  were 
attended  to  the  place  of  interment  by  as 
large  a  number  of  her  afflicted  and  sympa- 
thizing friends  as  the  distressing  situation  of 
their  families  at  that  time  would  admit.  At 
the  grave,  the  thirty-first  hymn  of  Dr.  Watts' 
second  book,  which  she  had  often  repeated 
during  her  illness,  was  sung ;  after  which 
the  mourning  friends  retired  to  reflect  on  the 
solemnities  of  that  scene  which  had  engaged 
their  attention  for  such  a  length  of  time. 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT.  125 

It  is  a  source  of  regret  to  the  friends  of  the 
deceased  Caroline,  that  many  incidents  which 
occurred,  and  many  of  the  conversations  which 
she  held  during  her  illness,  cannot  be  accu- 
rately recollected,  so  as  to  warrant  an  inser- 
tion here.  There  were  two  interviews  be- 
tween herself  and  her  parents,  an  account  of 
which  has  not  been  given  in  its  proper  place, 
because  the  particular  dates  are  not  known 
with  certainty  ;  yet,  as  the  circumstances  are 
distinctly  remembered,  it  has  been  thought 
proper  to  subjoin  some  notice  of  them  here. 

The  first  was  with  her  father,  and  was  as 
follows  : — Not  long  before  her  death,  he  was 
enabled  one  day,  during  the  recess  of  his 
fever,  to  visit  her.  Her  mother  had  told  him 
that  their  daughter  was  worse ;  but  the  at- 
tending physicians  endeavoured  to  conceal 
from  him  her  real  situation,  and  he  consider- 
ed Mrs.  Smelt  as  unnecessarily  alarmed. 
He  had  not  seen  her  for  several  days,  and 
determined  to  venture  into  her  room.  Being 
feeble,  he  reclined  on  her  bed.  She  was  de- 
lighted to  see  him,  raised  her  arm  over  his 
neck,  embraced  him  affectionately,  and  in- 
quired after  his  health.  Her  manner  was  so 
natural,  and  her  countenance  so  lovely,  that 
before  he  felt  her  pulse,  he  exclaimed,  "  You 
are  a  great  deal  better,  Caroline  ;  I  am  sure 
there  can  be  no  fever,  no  pain,  nor  danger, 
where  there  is  such  a  countenance — such  per- 
fect placidity."  She  replied,  "  O  my  dear 
l2 


126  mkmoirs  or 

lather,  my  mother  is  right ;  I  am  not  as  well 
as  I  have  been — indeed,  I  am  in  great  pain  ; 
but  I  am  enabled  to  bear  it  with  composure." 
He  then  felt  her  pulse.  "  You  see  (said  she) 
that  mother  was  not  wrong.  Father,  I  know 
that  you  have  many  sterling  virtues  ;  and  you 
have  been  an  excellent  parent  to  me.  As 
you  profess  to  be  a  true  believer  in  revealed 
religion,  let  me  entreat  you  earnestly  to  seek 
for  that  faith  which  is  only  the  gift  of  God. 
It  must  come  from  above,  and  O  !  pray  ar- 
dently and  frequently  for  this  gift — the  bap- 
tism, the  anointing  of  the  Holy  Ghost — that 
precious  Comforter  promised  by  the  Saviour 
to  all  who  ask  him.  O  my  father  !  I  have 
received  it — I  feel  it  in  my  soul.  I  want  you 
to  feel  it,  for  it  will  prepare  you  to  meet  me 
in  heaven."  Her  father  expressed  his  ap- 
probation of  her  sentiments  and  wishes,  and 
observed,  "  My  dear  Caroline,  you  have  in- 
deed more  fever  than  I  at  first  thought ;  but 
you  must  not  talk  so  much  about  death. 
Only  think  you  are  to  recover,  and  I  hope 
you  will."  He  exclaimed,  "  There  must  be 
hope  where  there  is  such  a  countenance,  such 
patience,  such  serenity  ! — O  my  beloved 
child  !  can  you  be  in  pain,  and  at  the  same 
time  smile  so  sweetly  ?"  She  replied  tri- 
umphantly, "Yes,  my  dear  father,  faith — 
evangelical  faith,  can  enable  us  to  smile  upon 
death.  My  Saviour  suffered  pain,  and  can  I 
expect  to   escape  ? — O  no,  I  would  not  if  I 


CAROLINE  E.   SMELT.  127 

could.  I  feel  perfectly  submissive  to  the 
will  of  Divine  Wisdom.  O !  may  you,  my 
father,  feel  so  too."  After  he  retired,  she 
said,  "  My  poor  father  is  sensibly  affected — ■ 
he  does  not  wish  to  part  with  his  Caroline. 
I  hope  God  will  bless  him  with  divine  grace  ; 
and  he  will  see  me  where  parting  shall  be 
felt  no  more.  I  love  him  more  than  ever  ; 
for  he  has  qualities  which,  if  properly  tem- 
pered, would  make  him  a  most  valuable 
Christian.  0  !  he  has  ever  been  a  tender 
parent  to  me.  He  never  corrected  or  spoke 
harshly  to  me  in  his  life.  He  has  told  me  of 
faults,  but  always  did  it  with  more  softness 
than  I  deserved." — At  no  great  distance  of 
time  from  the  preceding  interview  with  her 
father,  she  held  the  following  conversation 
with  her  mother. 

She  said,  "  Mother,  I  wish  you  to  deliver 
a  message  from  me  to  my  beloved  sister- 
cousin,  Cornelia  Walker,  (who  was  then  ab- 
sent on  a  visit  to  her  friends  in  New-York.) 
I  wish  you  to  tell  her  of  all  that  the  Lord  has 
done  for  me.  Tell  her  that  I  desire  her  never 
again  to  participate  in  sinful  amusements. 
She  loves  me,  and  will,  I  hope,  value  what  I 
say.  Tell  her  I  requested,  on  my  death-bed, 
that  she  might  never  enter  a  theatre,  a  ball- 
room, or  attend  another  fashionable  tea-party, 
as  they  are  called  :  they  are  all  of  the  same 
family,  let  who  will  say  otherwise.  If  one 
of  them  be   sinful,  they  are   all   so ;  and    on 


128  MEMOIRS   OF 

that  subject  I  have  no  doubt.  I  am  also  of 
opinion  that  the  last  mentioned  are  more  so, 
if  possible,  than  either  of  the  others.  Tea- 
parties,  as  generally  attended,  lead  to  more 
extravagance  and  party-spirit,  more  vanity, 
more  ambition,  than  the  others.  I  have  some 
knowledge  of  all :  I  have  been  at  many  tea- 
parties,  and  I  know  I  have  never  seen  more 
folly  anywhere.  The  great  amusement 
consists  in  a  display  of  luxurious  delicacies 
which  are  continually  carried  round  by  poor 
slaves,  that  bend  under  their  weight ;  and 
which  only  vitiate  the  stomach,  and  unfit  it 
for  wholesome  food.  More  ostentation  or 
greater  excess  of  vanity  is  never  seen  at  plays 
or  balls.  Sometimes  a  few  tunes  are  played 
on  a  piano,  the  sound  of  which  is  com- 
pletely lost  by  the  loud  conversation  of 
many  persons  speaking  at  the  same  time,  so 
as  to  resemble  the  confusion  of  Babel.  I 
have  sat  for  hours,  and  not  heard  one  serious 
observation — one  rational  idea.  On  the  con- 
trary, I  have  heard  nothing  but  loud  peals 
of  laughter,  or  light  frivolous  chit-chat — per- 
fect levity — nothing  else.  I  generally  attend- 
ed with  reluctance  ;  and  nothing  but  a  desire 
to  conform  to  the  customs  of  the  society  in 
which  I  moved,  ever  induced  me  to  go.  Sil- 
ly excuse  !  for  my  better  judgment  told  me 
better  things.  But  I  often,  at  first,  used  to 
be  amused ;  yet,  always  at  a  particular  hour, 
there  would  come  a  knock  at  my  heart,  say- 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT,  129 

ing,  '  Come  out — why  will  you  stay  here?' 
I  have  gone  to  cousin,  and  asked  her  to  go 
home  with  me.  She  would  say,  «  O  cousin 
Caroline,  I  have  just  commenced  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  evening,  and  cannot  go  at  this 
time.'  She  will  be  able  to  tell  you  the  very 
words.  I  am  very  sorry  that  so  many  of  our 
serious  people  countenance  these  things,  and 
declaim  against  the  others.  There  is  a 
strange  inconsistency  in  this,  which  gives  the 
world  great  reason  to  say  what  they  do :  that 
such  professors  strain  at  a  gnat,  and  sivalloiv 
a  camel.  Mother,  you  will  never,  I  hope, 
give  them  your  countenance  again ;  for  you 
must  know  that  they  are  pernicious  to  a 
growth  in  grace."  To  this  her  mother  re- 
plied that  she  never  would.  Caroline  then 
embraced  her,  and  said,  "I  thank  God  for 
that.  I  hope  my  dear  cousin  will  make  the 
same  promise.  I  do  not  wish  you  to  give  up 
society — 0  no  !  for  religion  is  a  social  thing. 
I  wish  you  and  her  to  keep  up  a  rational  in- 
tercourse with  all  our  dear  friends ;  but  let 
it  be  done  with  gospel  simplicity.  My  dear 
uncle  W.  will,  perhaps,  think  I  have  made 
an  unreasonable  demand  of  my  cousin,  in  re- 
questing her  to  give  up  dancing;  but  he 
loves  me,  and  if  she  is  willing,  he  will  not 
oppose  her.  Tell  her,  that  on  a  death-bed 
she  will  be  amply  rewarded  for  all  the  self- 
denial  she  puts  in  practice  now.  O  mother  ! 
tell  her  to  seek  an  interest  in  Christ,  while 


130  MEMOIRS  OF 

she  is  in  the  bloom  of  life.  Her  health  is 
delicate,  and  I  have  often  grieved  in  reflecting 
that  I  might  see  her  descending  into  an  early 
tomb.  But  I  have  been  spared  this  trial ; 
she  will  now  grieve  for  me.  But,  O  !  she 
must  not  grieve  as  those  who  have  no  hope. 
She  must  strive  to  follow  me;  and  if  we 
meet  again,  it  will  be  to  part  no  more.  I 
hope  my  early  call  will  speak  to  her  heart ; 
and  indeed  I  pray  that  it  may  speak  to  the 
hearts  of  all  my  young  friends.  I  had  as 
pleasing  prospects  of  long  life  as  any  of 
them,  never  having  been  seriously  sick,  and 
now  in  my  seventeenth  year.  O  mother ! 
how  portentous  has  your  presentiment  been, 
that  you  would  have  to  part  with  me  at  a 
very  interesting  age — just  as  if  the  Lord  had 
been  striving,  for  years,  to  prepare  and  for- 
tify your  mind  to  endure  an  event  which  he 
knew  would  try  your  very  soul.  You  often 
told  me  of  this  presentiment ;  and  is  it  not 
strange  that  it  never  alarmed  me  ?  I  used  to 
feel  solemn  ;  but  it  never  depressed  my  spi- 
rits, or  produced  melancholy.  How  merci- 
fully have  all  things  been  conducted  in  our 
behalf! — I  view  your  indulgence,  in  allowing 
me  to  participate  partially  in  worldly  amuse- 
ments, as  intended  to  show  me  that  there 
was  no  solid  pleasure  in  them.  Had  I  never 
known  what  they  were,  I  might  have  attach- 
ed great  innocence  to  them ;  but  now  I  am 
enabled  to  declare  that  thev  are  exceedingly 


CAROLINE  E.   SMLLT.  131 

sinful.  Let  all  those  who  participate  in  those 
feasts  of  unrighteousness,  and  know  that  they 
are  contrary  to  the  word  of  God,  beware  lest 
heavy  judgments  come  upon  them.  Dear 
Dr.  Thompson  was  much  censured  for  the 
severity  with  which  he  condemned  them.  I 
was  one,  though  then  a  child,  who  thought 
he  carried  his  prejudices  too  far ;  but  I  now 
think  he  was  right  as  to  the  principle,  though 
his  manner  might  have  been  milder.  It  ill 
becomes  those  who  name  the  name  of  Jesus, 
and  who  have  made  a  solemn  covenant  to  be 
his,  to  mix  with  the  world,  and  join  in  ex- 
travagant, volatile,  and  trifling  pleasures. 
We  are  told  that  we  cannot  serve  God  and 
mammon  ;  and  this  is  true  :  they  will  find  it 
so  when  they  come  to  die.  O  !  what  a  differ- 
ent example  ought  Christians  to  set  before 
the  world.  I  have  wondered  to  hear  the  ex- 
cuses which  some  professors  make  for  folly. 
They  say  that  we  are  social  beings — that  we 
require  relaxation — that  God  is  more  merci- 
ful than  man — that  while  we  are  in  the 
world,  we  must  mix  with  it — we  must  have 
society — that  religion  was  never  designed  to 
make  us  melancholy,  but  cheerful,  &c.  My 
strength  is  too  feeble  to  state  all  ;  but  admit- 
ting these  excuses  to  be  true,  they  only  per- 
vert the  whole.  The  Lord  abundantly  pro- 
vides for  all  his  dear  children,  and  never  re- 
quires more  of  them  than  they  can  perform  ; 
and  he  commands  us  not  to  be  conformed  to 


132  MEMOIRS    OF 

this  world— to  be  holy  as  he  is  holy.  What  has 
the  great  apostle  said  ?  '  Be  ye  therefore  fol- 
lowers of  God  as  dear  children;  put  on  the 
whole  armour  of  God.  As  ye  have  therefore 
received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  walk  in 
him,  rooted  and  built  up  in  him,  and  establish- 
ed in  the  faith,  as  ye  have  been  taught,  abound- 
ing therein  with  thanksgiving.  Beware,  lest 
any  man  spoil  you,  through  philosophy  and 
vain  deceit,  after  the  tradition  of  men,  after 
the  rudiments  of  the  world,  and  not  after 
Christ;  for  in  him  dwelleth  all  the  fulness 
of  the  Godhead  bodily.  Praying  always, 
iv ith  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  spi- 
rit, 4'c.  For  many  ivalk,  of  whom  I  have 
told  you  often,  ana  now  tell  you  weeping, 
that  they  are  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of 
Christ,  whose  end  is  destruction,  whose  glo- 
ry is  their  shame,  who  mind  earthly  things.1 
I  am  not  unhappy  about  my  cousin ;  but  I 
feel  anxious  that  she  should  know  these 
things,  and  lay  them  to  heart  speedily.  She 
is  almost  a  year  older  than  I  am  ;  and,  by 
this  time,  has  seen  enough  of  the  world  to 
know  that  all  its  joys  are  transitory  and  un- 
satisfying. To  a  death-bed  she  will  have  to 
come ;  and  after  that  the  judgment.  Tell 
her,  that  if  she  embrace  the  gospel  of  Christ 
in  all  its  purity,  she  will  have  nothing  to  fear. 
No;  it  is  sweet  to  die — death  is  a  pleasant 
friend — the  gate  of  heaven.  I  long  to  meet 
death ;  but  still  I  am  willing  to  wait  until  I 


CAROLINE    E.   SMELT.  133 

shall  have  finished  the  work  appointed  for 
me  to  do.  Tell  her  I  love  her  much  :  we 
are  brought  up  as  twin  sisters  ;  we  lived  in 
delightful  harmony  together.  O!  that  all 
children  could  love  one  another  as  we  did ; 
and  it  is  natural  that  I  should  feel  more  for 
her  than  for  my  other  cousins.  But  the  same 
message  I  leave  to  all ;  for  I  love  all."  She 
then  left  particular  messages  to  her  dear  un- 
cles, aunts,  and  friends  that  were  absent; 
which  were  afterwards  faithfully  delivered, 
verbally  or  by  letter. 

Thus  lived,  and  thus  died  Caroline  Eli- 
zabeth Smelt.  By  the  exercise  of  the  nu- 
merous amiable  qualities  which  she  possessed, 
she  had  endeared  herself  to  an  extensive  cir- 
cle of  friends  of  all  ages,  sexes,  and  ranks  in 
life.  It  is  asserted  that  she  was  never  seen 
to  be  in  a  passion,  although  her  disposition 
has  been  visibly  tried.  She  was  affectionate, 
meek,  dutiful,  and  modest.  She  has  been 
seen  to  be  displeased,  and  to  suffer  moment- 
ary mortification  ;  but  never  allowed  herself 
to  utter  an  indelicate,  harsh,  or  hasty  expres- 
sion. She  possessed  great  independence  of 
principle,  and  would  support  her  opinions 
with  great  firmness  and  propriety  ;  but,  if 
convinced  of  error,  would  never  hesitate  to 
retract  and  acknowledge  it.  To  servants  she 
was  particularly  mild  ;  and  as  she  made  her 
requests  to  those  of  her  father's  household 
with  the  utmost  softness,  they  always  served 
jVI 


134  MEMOIRS    OF 

her  with  the  greatest  alacrity.  When  they 
did  so,  she  would  often  thank  them  as  polite- 
ly as  if  she  had  had  no  claim  to  their  obe- 
dience. When  they  disobliged  her,  she  was 
always  ready  to  frame  and  offer  an  apology 
for  them.  She  would  say,  "  Perhaps  it  pro- 
ceeds from  forgetfulness.  I  know  I  am  too 
thoughtless  myself,  and  omit  many  important 
duties  ;  and  why  should  I  condemn,  in  those 
poor  ignorant  beings,  faults  that  are  less  than 
my  own." 

In  a  word,  reverence  towards  God — filial 
submission  and  respect  towards  her  parents — 
affability  and  benevolence  towards  all  with 
whom  she  was  acquainted,  seem  to  have  been 
united  in  her  temper  and  practice  through 
life,  and  "in  her  death  they  ivere  not  di- 
vided.''1 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  135 


CONCLUSION. 


The  preceding  pages  contain  a  brief  sketch 
of  the  leading  incidents  in  the  life  of  this  in- 
teresting young  female ;  at  least,  of  such  as 
have  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  compiler. 
From  a  review  of  the  whole,  he  cannot  feel 
himself  at  liberty  to  conclude  without  offer- 
ing a  few  reflections,  which  appear  naturally 
to  rise  from  an  attentive  consideration  of 
what  has  gone  before.  We  may  hence  ob- 
serve the  inestimable  advantage  which  may, 
and  often  does,  arise  from  early  instruction  in 
the  doctrine  and  duties  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion. The  minds  of  children  cannot  be  too 
early  imbued  with  a  knowledge  of  the  rudi- 
ments of  true  piety.  Such  is  the  natural  ac- 
tivity of  the  human  mind,  that  if  it  be  not  pre- 
occupied by  good  principles,  early  inculcated, 
the  enemy  of  all  good  will  soon,  by  some 
means  or  other,  sow  his  tares.  It  is  an  ob- 
servation not  more  trite  than  true,  that  "  early 
impressions  are  always  most  permanent." 
This  being  admitted,  how  careful  ought 
parents  to  be  in  watching  the  first  opening 
of  intellect  in  their  children,  and  in  communi- 
cating to  them  such  easy  instructions  as  they 
are  able  to  comprehend — to  teach  them  that 
there   is  a   great    and    glorious    Being,    who 


136  MEMOIRS    OF 

made  them  and  all  things  which  they  see — 
and  who  supports  all — who  loves  those  that 
do  their  duty,  and  will  reward  them,  and 
make  them  happy ;  and  also  that  he  hates 
every  thing  sinful,  and  will  most  certainly 
punish  it  sooner  or  later.  How  culpably  re- 
miss are  those  parents  who  neglect,  and  use 
no  efforts  to  instil  the  knowledge  of  any  re- 
ligious principles  into  the  minds  of  their 
children ;  but  leave  them  to  be  seduced  by 
their  own  erring  fancies  and  passions,  or  by 
the  insinuating  suggestions  and  example  of 
vicious  companions,  who  may  wish  to  see 
others  as  bad  as  themselves.  It  appears  that 
Caroline  Smelt  was  early  taught  to  know  the 
difference  between  sin  and  duty.  This  she 
declared  on  her  death-bed.  For  this  she  ac- 
knowledged her  grateful  obligations  to  her 
Maker  and  her  mother.  To  this,  no  doubt, 
as  the  instrumental  cause,  may  be  ascribed 
much  of  the  correctness  of  her  sentiments 
and  general  practice  through  each  succeeding 
period  of  her  life.  And  as  the  care  of  child- 
ren, during  their  tender  years,  is  more  imme- 
diately intrusted  to  the  mother  than  to  the 
father,  it  would  seem  to  be  her  duty  (as  it 
should  be  her  delight)  to  be  first  in  "  teach- 
ing the  young  idea  how  to  shoot,  and  in 
pouring  the  fresh  instruction  over  the  mind." 
Mothers  have  opportunities,  both  more  fre- 
quent and  more  favourable,  for  doing  this. 
More  frequent,  because  children  (particularly 


CAROLINE  E.  SMELT.  l'S7 

daughters)  are  almost  always  in  the  company 
of  their  mothers,  or  near  their  persons,  during 
a  number  of  the  first  years  of  their  life  ;  and 
more  favourable,  as  from  the  greater  fre- 
quency of  kindness  rendered  by  the  mother 
to  her  infant  children,  the  latter  generally 
love  and  contide  more  in  her  than  in  their  fa- 
ther, or  any  other  person  :  of  course,  her  in- 
structions will  be  more  kindly  received,  and 
more  readily  obeyed. 

We  may  here  also  remark  the  necessity 
that  a  pious  example  should  accompany  reli- 
gious instructions,  and  the  happy  influence 
which  such  a  combination  is  calculated  to 
produce  on  the  minds  of  children.  When 
parents  teach  their  children  the  most  salutary 
doctrines  and  duties,  and  at  the  same  time, 
by  their  own  habitual  temper  and  practice, 
show  an  utter  neglect  or  disregard  of  the  sen- 
timents inculcated,  the  children  will  soon  be 
led  to  question  the  truth  and  importance  of 
such  instructions,  and  most  probably  neglect 
them  as  much  as  they  see  their  parents  do. 
But  where  children  see  their  parents  endea- 
vouring to  walk  habitually  in  conformity  to 
the  same  rules  which  they  enjoin  upon  them, 
their  belief  of  the  instructions  is  confirmed, 
and  the  example  of  the  parents  is  imitated, 
and  produces  the  happiest  effects.  Caroline 
Smelt  was  early  taught  her  prayers  :  this 
was  right ;  and  it  is  doubtless  a  duty  incum- 
bent on  all  parents  to  teach  their  children  that 
M  2 


138  MEMOIRS  OF 

form  of  prayer  which  Christ  taught  his  disci- 
ples, (see  Matt.  vi.  9 — 13  ;)  but  many  child- 
ren learn  this  and  other  useful  forms  of 
prayer  in  their  early  years,  who  afterwards 
neglect  devotion  very  much,  if  not  altogether. 
One  great  cause  of  this  may  often  be,  that 
they  see  the  very  parents  who  taught  them 
to  pray,  living  in  the  entire  neglect  of  prayer 
themselves.  When  Caroline  was  led  in  her 
childhood,  by  her  mother,  to  a  throne  of 
grace  in  private  prayer — when  she  saw  this 
mother,  who  loved  her,  and  whom  she  loved, 
wrestling  with  God  for  a  blessing  on  them 
both,  as  well  as  all  others  within  mercy's 
reach,  this  example  served  not  only  to  habi- 
tuate her  to  the  sacred  employment,  but  to 
impress  her  tender  mind  with  a  conviction 
that  there  is  a  reality  in  religion.  This  con- 
viction would  not,  probably,  have  been  so 
readily  derived  from  any  other  source;  and 
no  doubt  the  serious  impressions  and  early 
reverence  for  religion  which  she  acquired  and 
cherished  through  life,  may  be  safely  attri- 
buted, in  a  great  degree,  to  this  circumstance 
as  the  instrumental  cause.  Parents  then  may 
derive  encouragement  from  this  to  lead  their 
children  early  to  the  altar  of  God,  and  show 
them  by  their  own  example  the  way  to  a 
mercy -seat;  not  only  by  praying  with  them 
jointly,  in  daily  family  devotion,  but  by  re- 
tiring with  them  occasionally,  one  by  one,  in 
secret. 


CAROLINE    E,  SMELT.  139 

Again,  this  narrative  may  encourage  pa- 
rents to  pray  for  their  children,  and  bear  them 
on  their  supplicating  hearts  and  tongues  when 
they  "  enter  into  their  closets,  and  shut  the 
door,  to  pray  to  their  Father  ivho  seeth  in 
secret."  In  this  duty  they  have  the  example 
of  Abraham,  who  "  was  called  the  friend  of 
God."  With  what  fervent  importunity  did 
he  entreat,  (Gen.  xvii.  18,)  "  O  let  Ishmael 
live  before  thee!''''  To  pray  for  their  child- 
ren, as  well  as  with  them,  is  certainly  a  duty 
incumbent  on  all  parents  ;  and  it  is  a  duty 
enjoined  upon  them  when  they  dedicate  their 
little  ones  to  God  in  the  ordinance  of  bap- 
tism. This  was  the  case  when  Caroline  re- 
ceived the  external  seal  of  the  gracious  cove- 
nant, by  the  application  of  the  sacramenttal 
water.  It  was  not  forgotten  by  her  mother  ; 
nor  does  she  yet  forget  that,  when  this  ordi- 
nance of  Christ  was  administered  to  her 
infant  daughter,  she  solemnly  promised  to 
"  pray  with  and  for  her."  From  these  me- 
moirs, it  appears  that  she  was  not  unmindful 
of  this  solemn  obligation,  which  she  then 
voluntarily  incurred  ;  and  it  is  equally  evident 
that  she  received  a  satisfactory  answer  to  her 
frequent  intercessions  in  behalf  of  this  child. 
Let  other  parents  go  and  do  likewise.  Let 
them  hence  take  encouragement  to  "  be  stead- 
fast, immoveable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord.  Let  them  not  be  weary  in 
well-doing  ;  for  they  shall  reap  in  due  time, 


140  ME5I01HS    or 

if  they  faint  not."  And  even  should  pious 
parents  not  live  to  see  their  prayers  for  their 
children  answered  in  the  most  desirable  ex- 
tent, God  can  fulfil  and  answer  their  expec- 
tations after  they  shall  have  rested  from 
their  labours,  and  gone  to  sleep  with  their 
fathers. 

"  The  seed,  though  buried  long  in  dust, 
Shall  not  deceive  their  hope  ; 
The  precious  grain  shall  ne'er  be  lost, 
For  grace  ensures  the  crop." 

Dr.  Watts'  126th  Psalm. 

We  may  here  further  observe  the  happy 
influence  and  effects  of  filial  duty.  How 
much  more  happy  was  Caroline  Smelt  than 
if  she  had  been  forward  and  undutiful  to  her 
parents  :  from  her  earliest  years  she  appears 
to  have  loved  and  obeyed  them  ;  in  return 
they  loved  her,  and  delighted  in  her  happi- 
ness. And  she  appears  to  have  been  es- 
teemed and  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her. 

But  it  may  be  said,  she  was  an  only  child 
and  an  heiress,  which  procured  her  that  at- 
tention and  respect  which  otherwise  she 
would  not  have  received.  True,  she  was  an 
only  child,  and  was  well  educated,  in  easy 
circumstances,  and  with  flattering  prospects  ; 
yet  had  she  been  disobedient  and  undutiful 
to  her  parents,  or  haughty  and  contemptuous 
towards  others,  she  could  never  have  secured 
urn  enjoyed  the  esteem  of  her  acquaintance 


CaROLiN"!*    L.   SMELT.  141 

No  relative  obligations  can  be  so  strong  in 
this  life  as  those  by  which  children  are  bound 
to  their  parents  ;  and  filial  duty  is  more  cer- 
tainly rewarded  in  this  world  than  duty  of 
any  other  kind.  "  Children,  obey  your  pa- 
rents in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right.  Ho- 
nour thy  father  and  mother,  (which  is  the 
first  commandment  with  promise,)  that  it 
may  he  well  with  thee."  Children  who  are 
dutiful  to  their  parents  enjoy  the  approba- 
tion of  God,  and  of  all  who  witness  or  know 
this  part  of  their  conduct.  On  the  other  hand, 
such  children  as  treat  their  parents  with  dis- 
obedience and  disrespect  are  commonly 
punished,  in  some  way  or  other,  by  the 
frowns  of  Divine  Providence  in  this  life,  as 
well  as  by  the  disapprobation  and  inward 
contempt  of  all  who  know  them,  both  good 
and  bad.  They  that  disregard  their  parents, 
or  treat  them  with  disrespect,  are  guilty  of 
the  grossest  ingratitude  to  their  best  earthly 
benefactors,  who  befriended  them  in  that  help- 
less period  when  they  were  unable  to  protect 
themselves,  or  relieve  their  own  wants.  A 
consciousness  of  guilt  in  this  respect  must 
trouble  their  repose  on  a  dying  bed,  and  ac- 
company them,  as  a  miserable  inmate,  into 
the  world  of  spirits. 

We  may  here,  also,  discover  the  great 
advantages  arising  from  an  early  acquaintance 
with  the  Holy  Scriptures.  It  appears  that 
Caroline  was  acquainted    with   them  from  a 


142  MEMOIRS    OF 

child.  Therefore,  when  she  was  seized  by 
sickness  and  laid  upon  a  dying  bed,  she  had 
not  to  begin  to  learn  the  essential  doctrines 
of  that  religion  whose  support  and  consola- 
tion she  then  so  greatly  needed,  and  so  large- 
ly experienced.  No ;  she  had  long  before 
learned  and  felt  that  she  was  a  sinner,  and 
needed  a  Saviour.  She  also  knew  where  the 
words  of  eternal  life  were  contained,  and 
where  life  and  immortality  ivere  brought  to 
light — in  the  gospel.  She  knew  whither  to 
repair,  and  to  whom  to  apply  for  relief.  Her 
mind  was  not  distracted  with  that,  wild  de- 
spair, which  is  often  (in  such  a  case)  the  awful 
effect  of  ignorance,  combined  with  a  con- 
scious sense  of  guilt.  No ;  she  knew  the 
way  to  the  wells  of  salvation  ;  and  was  en- 
abled thence  (from  the  promises  of  the  gos- 
pel) to  draw  living  water.  She  then  found 
the  advantages  arising  from  a  previous  pe- 
rusal of  the  word  of  God.  The  ready  and 
frequent  use  which  she  made  of  scriptural 
language,  in  her  prayers,  praises,  and  ad- 
monitory addresses  during  the  last  sixteen 
days  of  her  life,  plainly  proved  that  she  had 
long  before  made  the  word  of  God  "  the 
man  of  her  counsel"  The  consolation  de- 
rived from  this  circumstance,  by  herself  and 
her  friends,  should  induce  parents  to  urge 
their  children  to  an  early  acquaintance  with 
the  revealed  will  of  God  ;  as  they  know  not 
how  soon  they  may  need  those  divine  direc 


CAROLINE    E.    SMELT.  143 

tions    and    consolations    which    that    sacred 
volume  alone  can  impart. 

From  this  narrative  also  may  be  learned 
the  reality  and  strength  of  that  confidence 
which  true  believers  derive,  from  the  Spirit 
of  God  witnessing  with  their  spirits  that  they 
are  born  again,  and  savingly  interested  in 
God's  favour  through  a  Saviour's  merits. 
Though  it  appears  that  Caroline  had  been  a 
long  time  seeking  for  the  comforts  of  true 
religion  ;  that  she  had  seen  the  unsatisfying 
nature  of  worldly  amusements,  and  the  per- 
nicious effects  of  conformity  to  the  sinful 
fashions  of  the  world  ;  and  had,  for  months 
before  her  last  illness,  resolved  to  withdraw 
her  presence  and  withhold  her  countenance 
from  such  places  and  diversions  as  she  was 
convinced  were  wrong,  to  which  resolution 
she  had  adhered;  yet  it  appears  that  she 
never  received  a  satisfactory  evidence  of  her 
interest  in  Christ,  until  the  fifth  day  after  her 
last  illness  commenced.  It  is  the  opinion  of 
a  number  of  her  serious  surviving  friends, 
that  she  had  true  religion  several  months  be- 
fore. To  what  then  was  it  owing  that  she 
had  not  experienced  the  comforts  which  the 
evidence  of  the  fact  always  confers  ?  Besides 
the  sovereign  will  of  God,  which  we  are 
neither  able  nor  allowed  to  scrutinize,  it  was 
probably  owing  to  her  failing  to  make  a  pub- 
lic acknowledgment  of  the  divine  goodness, 
in  what  she  had  before  received.     Though 


144  MEMOIRS    OF 

long  convinced  of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  as 
well  as  of  its  excellency,  through  timidity, 
remaining  sinful  shame  and  unbelief,  she  had 
never  openly  confessed  Christ  in  the  discri- 
minating ordinance  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
She  had  never  openly  obeyed  his  dying  com- 
mand, "  do  this  in  remembrance  of  me" 
She  had  probably  overlooked,  or  misunder- 
stood St.  Paul's  declaration,  {Rom.  x.  10,) 
44  that  ivith  the  heart  man  believeth  unto 
righteousness,  but  with  the  mouth  confession 
is  made  unto  salvation"  She  was  probably 
unapprized  that,  while  she  refused  to  make  a 
public  avowal  of  her  attachment  to  the  cause 
of  Christ,  the  world  would  still  consider  and 
claim  her  as  on  their  side.  The  evidences 
of  her  special  and  personal  interest  in  the 
Saviour's  love  might  possibly  have  been  with- 
holden,  as  a  testimony  of  his  disapprobation 
of  her  neglect  of  a  duty  so  important.  But 
now,  her  end  approaching,  for  purposes 
worthy  of  the  divine  wisdom  and  mercy,  she 
obtained  grace  to  help  in  the  time  of  her 
greatest  need.  She  knew  that  her  Redeemer 
lived,  and  that,  whenever  the  earthly  house 
of  her  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  she  had  a 
building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.  A  new  song 
was  put  into  her  mouth.  She  was  no  longer 
the  timid  tacit  Caroline,  as  she  had  before 
been  called.  No  ;  she  was  enabled  to  bear  a 
most  honourable  testimony  to  the  religion  of 


CAROLINE    E.  SMELT.  145 

Jesus.  Her  "  soul  did  magnify  the  Lord, 
and  her  spirit  rejoiced  in  God  her  Saviour." 
She  saw  the  excellencies  of  her  Redeemer ; 
she  felt  her  obligations  to  him  ;  and  her  su- 
preme desires  appear  to  have  been  to  recom- 
mend him  to  others,  and  persuade  them  to 
make  a  speedy  believing  application  to  him 
for  safety  and  happiness.  Could  any  thing 
short  of  supernatural  power  have  inspired  a 
tender,  timid,  and  delicate  young  female  with 
such  confidence  to  meet  the  king  of  terrors — 
with  such  an  ardent  desire  to  abandon  all  the 
flattering  prospects  which  her  age  and  cir- 
cumstances presented  to  her  in  this  world  ? 
Impartial  unprejudiced  reason  must  answer — 
No.  Her  conduct,  on  several  occasions  in 
early  life,  evinced  extreme  timidity  and  ex- 
cessive sensibility  at  the  slightest  appear- 
ance of  danger.  But  how  can  this  be  recon- 
ciled with  the  courage  and  firmness  which 
she  displayed  during  her  last  sixteen  days  ? 
In  no  other  way  than  by  ascribing  her  tri- 
umph over  death  and  all  its  terrors,  to  Him 
who  is  both  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  faith. 
How  widely  different  the  sorrows  of  sur- 
viving friends,  excited  by  the  death  of  a  true 
Christian,  from  that  arising  from  the  decease 
of  a  sinner,  without  any  well-founded  hope 
of  future  happiness  !  To  see  the  latter  look- 
ing, with  wild  anxiety,  to  every  visible  source 
for  comfort  and  relief,  but  finding  none,  can- 
not fail  to  excite  both  the  sympathy  and  sor- 
N 


146  MEMOIRS  OF 

row  of  every  spectator  of  such  a  scene.  Per- 
haps no  language  can  better  describe  the 
reluctant  agonies  of  such  a  soul,  than  Dr. 
Watts  has  employed,  in  the  following  lines : 

"  Ling'ring  about  these  mortal  shores, 
She  makes  a  long  delay, 
Till,  like  a  flood,  with  rapid  force, 
Death  sweeps  the  wretch  away." 

On  the  other  hand,  to  see  a  Christian  enter 
the  gloomy  vale  without  dismay — calm  and 
collected  in  that  perilous  hour,  how  consoling 
to  all  the  friends  who  are  left  behind  !  'Tis 
neither  sinful  nor  unmanly  to  mourn  the 
loss  which  we  sustain  by  separation  from  the 
society  of  those  we  love.  Jesus  wept  at  the 
grave  of  Lazarus,  his  friend  ;  and  Peter  found 
the  pious  friends  of  Dorcas  weeping  around 
her  dead  body  ;  but  the  friends  of  the  believer 
need  not  sorrow  as  those  who  have  no  hope. 
No  ;  "for  them  that  sleep  in  Jesus,  will  God 
bring  with  him."  And  when  the  departing 
Christian  evidently  possesses  "  a  hope  so 
full  of  immortality,"  as  that  evinced  by  the 
countenance  and  conversation  of  the  dying 
Caroline,  the  surviving  friends  must  be  in- 
spired with  a  hope,  otherwise  utterly  unat- 
tainable.    And  surely 

"  A  hope  so  much  divine, 
May  trials  well  endure." 

Finally,  the  uncertainty  of  earthly  happi- 
ness   may   be    plainly    discovered   from   the 


CAROLINE    E.   SMELT.  147 

preceding  narrative.  To  her  parents,  Caro- 
line was  certainly  a  child  of  much  promise  : 
intelligent,  accomplished,  affectionate,  and 
obedient.  What  a  pleasing  prospect  of  in- 
creasing satisfaction  must  they  have  built  on 
such  a  foundation  !  But,  alas !  how  soon 
were  these  fond  expectations  frustrated ! 
Cut  down  in  the  bloom  of  life,  she  has  left 
them  to  mourn  the  instability  of  sublunary 
bliss.  May  they,  as  well  as  the  writer,  and 
every  reader  of  these  remarks,  learn,  and 
ever  recollect,  that  there  is  nothing  certain,  as 
a  foundation  of  a  hope  of  happiness — nothing 
to  be  depended  upon,  beneath  the  unchange- 
able God.     Amen. 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  letters  were  addressed  to  Mrs.  Jones,  a 
sister  of  Mrs.  Smelt,  residing  in  New- York,  in  order  to 
inform  her  of  the  state  of  Dr.  Smelt's  family,  in  whose 
happiness  she  was  known  to  feel  a  lively  interest.  As 
they  were  written  by  a  gentleman  of  unquestionable 
veracity,  who  daily  visited  Caroline  during  her  last  ill- 
ness, and  had  the  best  opportunities  of  witnessing  the 
exercises  of  her  mind  on  that  trying  occasion,  it  has 
been  thought  that  they  might  be  here  subjoined,  with 
propriety  and  advantage,  by  way  of  Appendix. 


Augusta,  \8th  September,  1817. 
Dear  Madam, 

By  desire  of  your  sister,  Mrs.  Smelt,  who 
is  so  much  debilitated  by  sickness  and  watch- 
ing, and  who  is  so  incessantly  engaged  in 
nursing  her  husband  and  her  daughter,  as  to 
unfit  Iter  for  writing,  I  address  a  few  lines  to 
you  ;  both  that  you  may  be  informed  of  the 
real  situation  of  the  family,  and  that  you  may 
receive  consolation  from  the  knowledge  that 
this  visitation  of  the  Lord  has  been  produc- 
tive of  incalculable  advantage  to  your  niece, 
*  2  "149 


150  APPENDIX. 

even  should  it  be  His  will  to  direct  (as  to  this 
life)  a  fatal  termination. 

Your  sister  herself  has  had  a  severe  at- 
tack, but  is  now  sufficiently  recovered  to 
be  about  the  house.  The  doctor  has  been 
seriously  indisposed  for  a  week  past,  and  is 
yet  confined  to  his  bed ;  and  their  beloved 
daughter,  Caroline,  has  been  nearly  three 
weeks  threatened  with  dissolution,  from  the 
violence  of  fever ;  but  is  not  now  considered 
by  her  physicians  in  a  hopeless  state. 

To  you,  who  so  well  know  the  affectionate 
and  tender  disposition  of  Caroline,  and  the 
mutual  fondness  that  subsisted  between  her 
parents  and  herself,  it  is  unnecessary  to  say 
what  a  bereavement  her  mother  would  sus- 
tain, should  the  curtain  of  death  intervene, 
and  separate  them  till  that  "  day  for  which 
all  other  days  were  made."  This  event, 
Heaven,  I  believe  and  hope,  will  at  this  time 
avert.  But  should  it  occur,  your  sister  Smelt 
might  rejoice,  amidst  the  depth  of  her  an- 
guish, in  the  recollection  that  she  lias  given 
birth  to,  and  reared  up  a  mortal  for  the  climes 
of  immortality — that  the  child  of  her  bosom 
has  been  prepared,  by  mercy  and  grace, 
for  reposing  for  ever  in  the  bosom  of  her 
God. 

Diseases  truly  are  the  servants  of  the 
Lord,  and  will  accomplish  that  "  whereunto 
they  are  sent."     In  this  instance  it  has  ef- 


APPENDIX.  151 

fected  glorious  things,  by  convincing  all 
around  her  that  she  is  one  of  the  "  little  flock 
of  Christ."  More  composure  or  serenity, 
during  her  painful  illness,  has  hardly  ever 
been  manifested  ;  and  as  complete  resignation 
to  the  will  of  God  as  could  have  been  exhi- 
bited by  a  veteran  Christian.  If  in  any  thing 
there  has  been  too  much  anxiety,  it  was  that 
it  would  please  her  heavenly  Father  to  re- 
ceive her  to  himself,  during  her  present  ma- 
lady. But  in  this  she  has  the  example  of  St. 
Paul,  who  desired  to  be  with  Christ,  which 
he  esteemed  "  far  better"  than  remaining  here. 
All  her  conversation  evidences  a  heavenly 
mindness  which  every  Christian  might  desire 
to  attain ;  and  the  fervency,  animation,  and 
propriety  of  her  addresses  to  the  throne  of 
grace,  would  put  to  the  blush  every  luke- 
warm professor.  She  desires  it  to  be  known 
as  her  intention,  should  she  be  spared  until 
an  opportunity  offers,  to  unite  herself  to  the 
church  which  her  Saviour  has  instituted,  and 
to  devote  herself  to  the  service  of  him  who 
died  for  the  redemption  of  sinners.  A  week 
hence,  I  will  again  inform  you  of  your  sis- 
ter's family,  should  she  herself  be  unable. 
Pages  would  not  convey  all  that  your  sister 
wishes  communicated ;  but  the  time  of  clos- 
ing the  mail  is  too  near  at  hand  to  permit  my 
adding  more. 

Augusta    has    been    unusually   unhealthy 


152  APPENDIX. 

this  autumn.     Mrs.  M.  continues   very  un 
well,  but  desires  her  love  to  you. 
I  am,  dear  friend, 

Your's  truly,  in  Christ, 

A M 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jones. 


Augusta,  Zlst  September,  1817. 
Dear  Madam, 

Last  post  I  addressed  you,  to  inform  you 
of  the  distressing  circumstances  of  your 
sister's  family.  Mrs.  Smelt  continues  as 
well  as  then,  and  the  doctor  is  considerably 
better ;  but  Caroline  is  asleep  in  Jesus. 
This  evening,  at  four  o'clock,  she  closed  her 
eyes  on  sublunary  things,  and  her  spirit  re- 
turned to  God  who  gave  it.  Happy  girl! 
she  has  rejoined  her  sisters  and  brother  in 
the  realms  of  glory,  where  the  pangs  of  se- 
paration can  be  no  more  experienced. 

Blessed  he  the  Lord,  she  was  prepared  for 
her  departure.  A  full  reliance  on  the  merits 
and  atonement  of  her  Saviour  constituted  her 
hopes  of  happiness.  Her  death-bed  was  a 
lesson  to  all  who  approached  it ;  although 
for  the  last  twelve  or  fifteen  hours  of  her  life 
she  was  speechless,  in  a  kind  of  stupor. 
But  while  her  powers  of  utterance  were  con- 
tinued, she  ceased  not  to  proclaim  the  love 


APPENDIX.  153 

«f  God,  and  the  all-sufficiency  of  the  Re- 
deemer. "  Weep  not  for  me,"  she  would 
szy  to  her  mother,  "lam  and  shall  be  infi- 
nitely happy.  Be  comforted,  my  dear  mo- 
J.her,  and  rejoice  in  my  felicity."  And  in- 
deed if  any  thing  can  comfort  her  mother  and 
father,  under  so  severe  an  affliction,  a  confi- 
dence that  their  "loss  is  her  eternal  gain" 
alone  can  do  it.  They  are  both  much  more 
resigned  and  composed  than  could  reasonably 
be  expected,  from  the  incalculable  loss  they 
have  sustained. 

May  the  God  who  has  directed  this  event, 
bestow  on  them  the  consolations  of  his 
Holy  Spirit,  and  give  them  a  name  of  more 
importance  than  that  derived  from  sons  and 
daughters.  I  have  just  left  the  house,  and 
it  is  indeed  one  of  mourning  and  wo.  But 
they  "  mourn  not  as  those  without  hope." 
I  have  only  time  to  add  my  best  respects ; 
and  am,  Madam,  in  the  bonds  of  Jesus, 
Your's  truly, 

A M 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jones. 


Augusta,  23</  September,  1817. 
Dear  Madam, 

Convinced    of   your   solicitude    to    know 
how   your  sister  has  supported  the   calami- 


154  APPENDIX. 

tous  event,  of  which  it  was  my  painful  chty 
to  inform  you  by  last  mail,  I  again  drop  you 
a  few  lines,  to  say  that,  through  the  good- 
ness and  mercy  of  God  in  convincing  them 
that  his  glory  and  the  felicity  of  the  deceased 
would  be  promoted,  your  sister  and  her  hus- 
band, the  doctor,  are  calm  and  resigned 
They  sorrow  indeed  ;  but  "  not  as  those  with- 
out hope."  The  mortal  remains  of  the  be- 
loved Caroline  were  yesterday  deposited  in 
the  ground ;  but  her  immortal  spirit  has 
caused  the  angels  in  heaven  to  rejoice  in  such 
an  accession  to  the  number  of  "  the  spirits 
of  the  just  made  perfect."  I  left  the  mourn- 
ing parents  a  few  moments  ago ;  and  the 
Christian's  consolation  is  theirs.  They 
weep  ;  but  it  is  for  themselves — not  for  their 
daughter.  Their  house  is,  as  it  were,  "left 
unto  them  desolate  ;"  for  they  no  longer  see 
their  chief  earthly  joy  ;  they  hear  no  more 
the  footsteps  of  their  Caroline,  nor  does  her 
loved  voice  sound  in  their  ears  any  more. 
She  "cannot  return  to  them;"  but  it  com- 
forts them  to  know  that  "they  may  go  to 
her.11  They  have  looked  to  the  Author  of 
their  past  joys  and  their  present  sorrows  for 
relief;  and  he  has  tranquillized  their  bosoms. 
"  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken 
away  ;"  and  they  can  devoutly  add,  "  blessed 
be  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Your  sister  will 
write  to  you,  if  nothing  prevent,  in  the  course 


APPENDIX.  155 

of  a  week ;  at  present  her  nerves  are  too 
much  affected  for  such  an  effort.  The  fever 
has  entirely  left  her,  and  the  doctor  is  reco- 
vering fast.  When  she  does  write,  you  will 
be  astonished  to  hear  what  "  a  preacher  of 
righteousness"  her  daughter  was  to  all  who 
visited  her,  during  her  confinement  to 
that  bed  from  whence  her  spirit  winged  its 
flight  to  heaven.  Few  death-bed  scenes  have 
afforded  so  much  instruction.  Having  expe- 
rienced, herself,  the  high  hopes  of  the  Chris- 
tian, and  participating  daily  in  the  love  and 
merits  of  the  Redeemer  of  mankind,  she 
strove,  with  all  the  powers  of  an  almost  in- 
spired eloquence,  to  induce  every  one  around 
her  to  embrace  that  Saviour,  whose  arms 
would  receive  every  fallen  child  of  Adam 
that  would  turn  to  him,  and  rely  on  his  abi- 
lity to  save.  Her  admonitions  will,  I  trust, 
be  remembered  with  benefit  by  many  of  her 
companions,  and  their  intercourse  be  revived 
beyond  the  grave. 

Poor  Cornelia  !  I  sympathize  with  her,  for 
she  has  lost  a  bosom  friend.     Mrs.  M.  con- 
tinues unwell,  she  desires  her  love.     In  haste 
I  am,  dear  Madam, 

Your's,  verv  sincerely, 

A M 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jones. 


156  APPENDIX. 


The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  the  Editor,  since 
he  undertook  to  compile  the  preceding  memoirs,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  D ,  a  clergyman  of  the  Methodist  Con- 
nexion, resident  in  Augusta,  whose  reputation,  as  a 
pious  and  prudent  man,  is  well  established. 


Augusta,  May  Sth,  1818. 
Dear  Sir, 

Agreeable  to  your  request,  I  now  write 
you  a  few  observations  concerning  some  of 
the  spiritual  exercises  of  Miss  Caroline  Smelt, 
during  Iter  last  illness,  so  far  as  I  was  an 
eyewitness  of  the  same.  The  firs*  conver- 
sation that  I  had  with  her  on  a  religious  sub- 
ject was  on  Saturday  evening,  the  6th  of  Sep- 
tember last.  She  had  professed  to  find  peace 
with  God  on  the  Tuesday  before ;  and  I 
thought,  for  my  own  part,  that  she  had  every 
genuine  mark  of  a  truly  converted  soul. 
There  appeared  to  be  a  sweet  humility,  and 
an  amiable  simplicity  in  all  her  conversation. 
Her  whole  delight  seemed  to  be  to  talk  of 
the  goodness  of  God  to  her  soul;  and  she 
frequently  asked  me  if  1  had  any  doubt  on 
my  mind  of  her  being  a  child  of  God,  and  if 
I  felt  willing  to  acknowledge  her  as  a  sister 
in  Christ.  She  was  very  desirous  of  receiv- 
ing the  Lord's  supper  on  the  following  Sab- 
bath, which  I  had  agreed  to  administer  to 
her ;  but  it  was  thought  by  her  friends,  that 


APPENDIX-  157 

her  body  was  in  too  weak  a  state  for  her  to 
receive  such  an  ordinance.  For  several  days 
following,  she  frequently  expressed  her  gra- 
titude and  surprise  that  she  had  come  so 
easily  through  the  pangs  of  the  new  birth. 
It  continued  to  be  her  greatest  delight  to  talk 
about  the  goodness  of  God  ;  and,  though  her 
friends  woiild  often  remind  her  of  her  bodily 
weakness,  and  advise  her  to  be  silent,  she 
would  assure  them  that  she  felt  perfectly 
easy. 

Her  mind  was  most  remarkably  resigned 
to  the  divine  will.  The  fear  of  death  was 
entirely  taken  away  ;  and  though  she  would 
sometimes  express  "  a  desire  to  depart  and 
be  with  Christ,  which  was  far  better,"  yet 
no  impatient  word  ever  escaped  her.  She 
always  expressed  herself  as  willing  to  live, 
and  suffer  as  much  longer  as  the  Lord  should 
please  to  be  the  case. 

On  Sabbath  day,  the  7th  of  September, 
she  desired  the  prayers  of  the  congregation, 
not  so  much  for  the  recovery  of  health,  as 
that  the  will  of  God  should  be  continually 
done  in  her,  and  by  her.  She  appeared  to 
be  anxious  that  as  many  others  as  possible 
should  hear  of  the  goodness  of  God  to  her 
soul  ;  and  understanding  that  I  was  to  attend 
a  camp-meeting  shortly,  she  desired  that  I 
would  publicly  tell  the  congregation  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  her  soul.  She  seemed  to 
O 


io8  APPENDIX. 

regret  that  she  had  never  made  a  public  pro- 
fession of  religion  in  time  of  health ;  but 
expressed  her  determination  to  do  so,  should 
the  Lord  ever  raise  her  up  again.  In  the 
mean  time,  she  declared  that  she  was  not 
ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

In  this  happy  state  of  mind  she  continued, 
with  little  or  no  variation,  till  the  Sabbath 
day,  21st  of  September,  when  her  happy  spi- 
rit took  its  flight  to  that  "  rest  that  remains 
for  the  people  of  God." — There  can  be  no 
reasonable  doubt  of  the  reality  of  her  conver- 
sion to  God,  and  that  she  died  a  true  believer 
in  Christ. 

I  remain,  dear  Sir, 
Your's,  in  the  gospel  of  our  common  Lord, 

S D 

Rev.  Moses  Waddel, 

Willington,  South  Carolina. 


THE  END. 


